Paralympics Ends in Mourning

The Athens 2004 Paralympic Games ended 12 days of fierce contest with its closing ceremony on the morning of September 29 (Korean time).

During the largest games ever, with 4,000 athletes from 140 nations participating, Korea ranked 16th in total with 11 gold medals, 11 silver, and six bronze, including the two gold medals won by Hong Suk-man in the 100m and 200m wheelchair race. China topped the ranking with 63 gold medals, 46 silver, and 32 bronze. Korea fell back seven steps compared to its ninth ranking during the 2000 Sydney Games with 18 gold medals.

This is mainly due to the fact that most of the contestants are veteran athletes who have participated in the games since the 1988 Seoul Paralympics, with the average age of certain event participants exceeding 40. With no particular benefits for athletes who win medals, the younger generation has shunned the games, causing a rapid increase in the average age of participating athletes. Many point out that there is a need for reform, including provision of pension benefits to the athletes.

Meanwhile, a bus with high school students participating in the closing ceremony crashed into a truck this day, leaving seven people dead and injuring 30 others. The organizing committee held a minute of silence during the closing ceremony and canceled most of the festivities.

The next Paralympics will take place in Beijing, China in 2008.

Won-Hong Lee bluesky@donga.com