Hundreds of South Korean Olympic athletes on Monday held their first training sessions of 2012, the year of the London Olympics, at the nation’s major training ground for amateur sports.

The Korean Olympic Committee celebrated the inaugural training of the year with a ceremony at the National Training Center in Seoul, attended by about 400 athletes and coaches from 15 sports, along with top sports officials.

The London Olympics are scheduled for July 27 to Aug. 12.

In his address to the athletes, Park Yong-sung, president of the KOC, reiterated the stated goal of finishing in the top 10 medal standings in London, with at least 10 gold medals, and implored athletes “to once again place South Korean sports at the center of the world.” 

The South has ranked in the top 10 in medals in six of the past seven Olympics. At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, South Korea set its own Olympics record by winning 13 gold medals and ranking seventh.

Choe Kwang-sik, the minister of culture, sports and tourism, said athletes will be rewarded for their work ethic.

“Sports are honest, and your dedication and hard work in training will bear fruit,” he said. “Make sure your blood and tears will lead to great results at the London Olympics.”

Park said the immediate goal is to send 250 athletes to London.

“To this day, 106 athletes have qualified for the games,” he said. “It’s imperative we qualify in as many events as we can.”

Archer Kim Woo-jin served as the male representative as athletes took an oath to remain devoted and committed in their preparations. Personally, Kim said he would like to become the first South Korean man to win an Olympic gold in the singles.

South Korea has dominated archery competitions with 16 Olympic titles and 30 medals overall, more than any other country, but a men’s singles gold has eluded South Korea.

“After taking the oath on behalf of the other athletes, I’ve become more determined,” Kim said. Still a teenager, Kim won two gold medals ― in singles and team events ― at each of the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games and 2011 World Archery Championships. He’s considered the country’s best hope to end the men’s singles victory drought.

“I will have to shoot good scores in the trials in March to join the Olympic team,” Kim said. “I am nervous but excited at the same time.” 

(Yonhap News)