London revisited : south Korea at the Olympics of 1948 and 2012
Document Type
Journal article
Source Publication
International Journal of the History of Sport
Publication Date
7-16-2013
Volume
30
Issue
15
First Page
1823
Last Page
1833
Publisher
Routledge
Keywords
London, Medals, Olympics, Recognition, South Korea
Abstract
1948 was South Korea's first ever appearance in the Olympics-a poor country, forced to adjust to division on the peninsula, with a limited athletic presence. But South Korea won its first medals and contributed to the tortuous process of securing its international standing. Sixty-four years later, by the time of its second appearance in a London Olympics South Korea had become a powerful economy with a high international profile and a strong athletic representation-coming 5th in the final medal table. This study compares and contrasts not just the two London Olympics in terms of athletic performances but also the changed roles for South Korea within both the global sporting community and broader international society. Despite the continuing division on the peninsula, the two London Olympics provide symbols and markers of the aspirations, achievements and failures of South Korean policy-makers and their people.
DOI
10.1080/09523367.2013.790373
Print ISSN
09523367
E-ISSN
17439035
Publisher Statement
Copyright © 2013 Taylor and Francis. Access to external full text or publisher's version may require subscription.
Full-text Version
Publisher’s Version
Language
English
Recommended Citation
Bridges, B. (2013). London revisited: South Korea at the Olympics of 1948 and 2012. The International Journal of the History of Sport, 30(15), 1823-1833. doi: 10.1080/09523367.2013.790373