PARIS, July 21 (Bernama-Yonhap) -- South Korea's main delegation for the Paris Olympics has arrived in the French capital, determined to exceed its modest medal projection, Yonhap news agency reported.
A team of 30 athletes and 18 officials from the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee (KSOC) landed at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport on Saturday night after a 14-hour journey from South Korea.
Gu Bon Gil, a two-time Olympic champion in men's sabre fencing, led the delegation carrying the national flag, Taegeukgi.
The opening ceremony is scheduled for Friday, with preliminary events in a few sports commencing earlier in the week.
South Korea will compete with 143 athletes in 21 out of 32 sports, marking its smallest Summer Olympic delegation since 1976.
The KSOC has set a goal to win five gold medals, aiming to rank around the top 15 in the medal tables, which would be the country’s lowest gold medal tally at a Summer Games since 1976.
KSOC President Lee Kee Heung expressed confidence saying, "Athletes and their coaches have worked really hard, and we all feel a sense of responsibility to give our people joy with good performances."
According to the KSOC, athletes in artistic swimming, diving, taekwondo, and equestrian will arrive in Paris later this week.
South Korea's first official action will take place on Thursday with the men's and women's individual ranking rounds in archery and the women's handball preliminary match against Germany.
-- BERNAMA-YONHAP
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