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

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