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First batch of S. Korean Olympic delegation arrives in Rio

July 28, 2016

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil, July 27 (Yonhap) — The first contingent of South Korea’s 331-member Olympic squad arrived in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Wednesday.

The group, consisting of 97 athletes and 23 sports officials, departed from Incheon International Airport aboard a chartered flight. They stopped over in Dubai before landing at Galeao International Airport in Rio. The Korean Olympic Committee (KOC) said it took 24 hours and 35 minutes to arrive in Brazil.

The first batch of the delegation was welcomed by some 90 South Korean residents in Brazil. The South Korean delegation is led by Chung Mong-gyu, who is also president of the Korea Football Association (KFA).

“We came a long way,” Chung said after arrival. “We will perform as we prepared and will try to meet South Korean people’s expectations.”

Veteran handball goalkeeper Oh Yong-ran carried the national flag at the airport. She is also the female captain of the squad.

“I didn’t expect this many South Korean fans would welcome us,” she said. “We are a bit tired after a long flight, but their support gives us energy.”

South Korea has set out to grab at least 10 gold medals to finish in the top 10 in the fourth consecutive Summer Games. The Rio Olympics, the first in South America, will go on from Aug. 5 to 21.

South Korean athletes for the Rio de Janeiro Summer Olympic Games arrive at Galeao International Airport in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on July 27, 2016.

South Korean athletes for the Rio de Janeiro Summer Olympic Games arrive at Galeao International Airport in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on July 27, 2016.