Ji Yoo-chan (21, Daegu Metropolitan City Government) is aiming to reach the Olympic semifinals in the men’s 50-meter freestyle in a swimming event dominated by the United States and Europe.
It is a new goal after winning gold at the Asian Games and reaching the semifinals at the World Championships.
“I’m realizing that I’m competing in the Olympics while training in the pool where I’m competing,” said Ji Yoo-chan, who was interviewed at the Paris La Défense swimming pool in Paris, France, on the 24th (local time). ”I’ve competed in the Asian Games and the World Championships, but the Olympics is a bigger stage. I can’t help but feel the pressure,” he confessed.
“I really want to achieve my goal in my first Olympics,” he said with a smile on his face, ”My goal is to pass the qualification and make it to the semifinals.”
The 50-meter freestyle, the shortest distance event in Olympic history, is often compared to the 100-meter dash.
There is no room for error.
It is also considered a difficult event for Asian swimmers to perform on the international stage, as they are often outclassed by American and European swimmers.
Before Ji, four South Koreans competed in the men’s 50-meter freestyle at the Olympics: Song Kwang-sun (Seoul 1988), Kim Min-seok (Sydney 2000), Lee Chung-hee (Athens 2004) and Hwang Sun-woo (Tokyo 2021).
They all failed to qualify.
“It’s an honor just to be at the Olympics in the 50-meter freestyle,” Ji said, ”but I can’t let this opportunity pass me by. I hope to break my own record and reach the semifinals.”
In September last year, Ji won the 50-meter freestyle at the Hangzhou Asian Games in a new Korean record of 21.72 seconds.
It was the first time in 21 years that a South Korean swimmer had won the 50-meter freestyle at an Asian Games since Kim Min-seok in Busan in 2002.
Ji Yoo-chan built on his momentum and touched the touchpad in 21.93 seconds in the 50-meter preliminaries at the 2024 World Championships in February, finishing 10th out of 116 swimmers to qualify for the semifinals, which are reserved for the top 16 swimmers.In the semifinals, she finished 12th in 21.87.This is the best performance by a South Korean swimmer at a World Championships in this event.
“I had good results at the Hangzhou Asian Games and Doha World Championships, but at the Olympics, I will have to give it my all to achieve my goal,” Ji said, vowing not to make even the smallest mistake.
Maxime Grousset (FRA) and Paweł Juracek (POL), who are on their way to the semifinals in Tokyo, clocked 21.97 in their qualifying time (tied for 15th).
That was 0.25 seconds slower than Ji’s personal best of 21.72.
“In Paris, the athletes’ times will be better,” Ji said, ”and I have to beat my time to be sure of making the semifinals.
I want to set a new Korean record and reach the semifinals,” he said.
The men’s 50-meter freestyle at the Paris Olympics will be heated on the morning of August 1.
Caleb Dressl (USA) is the most prominent name in a field of more than 70 entrants.
Dressl, who won five gold medals at the Tokyo Olympics, including the 50-meter freestyle, withdrew from competition during the 2022 World Championships in Budapest due to psychological issues.
“In Budapest, I only saw him from a distance,” Ji said. In Paris, I want to race with him,” said Ji. ”If I make it to the semifinals, I can race against the best in the world. It would be even better if I meet Dresl in the semifinals,” he laughed. 파워볼실시간