(22 July 1996; Day 03)
Although he owns three world records and a bronze medal from the 1992 Seoul Games, Myong KIM's trophy shelf is incomplete.
The 27-year old native of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, KIM is the headliner for tomorrow's 70kg competition in the Georgia World Congress Center at the Centennial Olympic Games and is the favorite to collect the gold medal, his first in Olympic competition.
By no means a one-person race, the 70kg class is as unpredictable as any in the weightlifting competition in Atlanta. Already with five world records set in the first three events, KIM's marks (snatch--161.0kg, clean and jerk--193.5kg and total--352.5kg) are also in danger.
The Chinese also figure to factor into the medal race. As a nation, People's Republic of China leads the medal count in Atlanta having collected three total--one of each color. ZHAN Xugang and WAN Jianhui will most likely provide the stiffest competition to KIM. ZHAN, who holds the world junior record, has a personal best of 357.5, 5 kilograms better than KIM's mark.
From the strong Turkish contingent is Fedail GULER, who also is considered one of the medal favorites. A three-time world champion, GULER has notched five world records during his career and will be making his first appearance in the Olympic Games.
Three sessions will take place tomorrow with 28 athletes expected to compete. The action gets started with Group C at 10:00, followed by Group B at 12:30 and Group A at 16:00. The medal ceremony will take place at the conclusion of the Group A competition at approximately 18:00.
This is an official publication of the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games Sports Publications Department. Written by Brad Laux.
Select another day:
Pre | July | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | August | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Post |
| The Mother Nature was kind to Olympic athletes and spectators. The average high temperature during the Games was 89 degrees with an average low of 72 degrees. Highest temperature registered (20 July) - 99 degrees. Lowest high temperature registered is 79 degrees (28 July). |