Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mindmetoo]

The OP I think has it right. With the lack of bobsled runs and world class ski facilities, speed skating is the way to go. The Chinese are adopting a similar model for winter olympics: pick a couple sports and try to dominate the hell out of it.

[Homer]

[matthews_world]

Bali bali is definitely part of the equation. I also thought of the fact how Koreans have the inate ability to maneuver through packs of moving herds to reach their destination the shortest and quickest way possible.

[fusionbarnone]

Saw a recent study about what was required to nurture champions where it was found the first five years of life are crucial to the development of a competitive spirit. I think Korean's focus on hard work, perseverance, dedication is an integral part of their culture. Where Koreans have been discovering the "benefits" of competing in sports with a high profile; golf, etc., have provided/s additional incentive. A nationalistic ethic doesn't hurt either with the local adoration that comes with it.

It therefore wouldn't surprise me if Koreans clean up on everything that doesn't impede them physically(like the 2001 soccer champs where Germany seemed to have it over the Korean team through physical advantage). They are a race of go-getters that's for sure.

[cypher]

Have any of you ever watched short track? It's all about pushing and shoving, and crazy speed trying to get ahead. Casualties are not counted. It's only natural that Koreans would do well, judging from my experiences on the subway, at dongdaemun, coex...

[Ya-ta Boy]

Wow! Page 3 and no mention of kimchi intake and steel chop stick skills. Pretty darn good for a Dave's discussion.

I'm always uneasy about this kind of discussion, whether it be in the Korean media because it carries the aura of trying to find a way of spreading the glory around to the whole group, or here at Dave's where it normally has the aura of finding a way to take away any credit for an achievement. (And that has not happened on this thread so far.)

I still say it is mainly a circumstance of personal talent. Right now Korea happens to have a number of individuals who have exceptional talent in short track speed skating and women's golf and both groups are getting the financial support necessary to have world-class training.

The parallel for me is Sweden in men's tennis. For years a small country was able to produce top rank athletes, year after year. I don't remember anyone going on about Swedes having some sort of peculiar physical advantage over others. People just accepted that those individuals had exceptional talent in that sport. I'm sure there are still scads of Swedish kids out there every day slamming away on the tennis court, but without the past success of Borg, et al.

Of course having a talent for a sport does no good if the society doesn't have the facilities to support and nurture that skill. There's probably some Ugandan who has the greatest natural ability in down hill skiing, but who is ever going to know it?

I just dislike anything that seems to detract from the respect for personal endeavor, dedication and perserverance that individuals put into their goal.

[JongnoGuru]

[marlow]

Ha ha. Ohno won gold.

[Hollywoodaction]

I know. It was poetic justice, to say the least.

Canada got silver, woohoo! (short-track still sucks, though )

I wonder if this race will be rebroadcast over and over and over...

[jinju]

Ohno won again by cheating.

[Satori]

[peony]

the men won the relay as did the women so total for korean speed skaters is 6 out of total 8 gold medals.. not bad i'd say

i just thought it a bit funny as i looked at their list of athletes competing in the Winter Olympics and they were all short track skaters, they arent competing in any other sport!

[Hollywoodaction]

[matthews_world]

Australia had atheletes in Torino? Go figure.

[jacl]