ACOG - News - IBM

(2 August 1996; Day 14)

Korean Fans Given Credit for Women's Archery Team Gold

The Korean women's archery team responded beautifully today to the delight of hundreds of their chanting and gong-banging fans in the gold medal round by defeating Germany. Noisy, at every opportunity, the brightly-dressed throng had plenty of opportunities to show their support as their favorite athletes gave them something to cheer about today in the 1996 Olympic Games held at Stone Mountain Archery Park.

The pre-tournament favorite, Korea, was paced by KIM Kyung-Wook, who had won an individual gold medal just two days prior. Her teammates YOUN Hye-Young and KIM Jo-SUN were also magnificent in their triumphal march to the finals. They had ousted Sweden and Poland in the preliminary rounds and had high hopes for the gold in their final match against Germany.

"We had confidence, that's why we hit three straight 10s" explained KIM Kyung-Wook (KOR) after taking advantage of Cornerlia PFOHL's tally of just one point on her 19th arrow.

Earlier in the day, the Korean team set an Olympic record when they scored 249 in their win over Sweden. They went on to trounce Poland 244 to 237.

In the match for the bronze, Poland took a 4-point lead after six arrows and never relinquished the lead again. Turkey could come no closer than 5 points. Poland's Katarzyna KLATA burst into tears after releasing her last arrow for an eight to clinch the match.

"The tears were tears of relief because of the pressure," she said afterwards. Poland had made it to the medal round by defeating the Russian Federation (RUS) and Ukraine, before losing to Korea in the semifinals.

This is an official publication of the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games Sports Publications Department. Written by Bill Painter.


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The volunteer staff of the 1996 Olympic Games totaled 50,152. They worked an estimated 850,000 shifts.