Paris Olympics goals are different, but the dream of ‘challenging for a gold medal’ is the same

‘5-color declaration of intent’ of 5 world stars Djokovic “I will definitely win the gold medal this time”. Men’s basketball James aims for ‘3rd gold’ Women’s golf Korda “It is an honor to challenge for 2 consecutive championships”. Gymnastics Biles overcomes hiatus to target multiple gold medals Marathon Kipchoge “I will make history as the first 3-consecutive championship”

“I firmly believe that I can win a gold medal. Otherwise, there’s no reason for me to compete in the Olympics.”

Tennis star Novak Djokovic (37, Serbia), who was named “Sportsman of the Year” at the “Laureus World Sports Awards” in April, expressed his determination for the Paris Olympics. After being named the world’s best player at the awards ceremony, which is known as the “Academy of the Sports World,” he revealed that he still dreams of an Olympic gold medal.

Djokovic, who has won the most major tournaments (24 times), has never won an Olympic gold medal. Djokovic’s best result in the four Olympics he has competed in is a bronze medal in the men’s singles at the 2008 Beijing Games. If Djokovic, who has won all four major tournaments, wins the Olympics, he will achieve a “career golden grand slam.” Among men’s singles players, only Andre Agassi (USA) and Rafael Nadal (Spain) have achieved this feat. The official website of the Paris Olympics reported that “this Olympics will be a competition where Djokovic will go ‘all in’ for the gold medal.”

The Paris Olympics, which will open on the 26th (local time) and continue for 17 days, will also feature world-class legends representing their countries. The ‘King’ of the National Basketball Association (NBA), LeBron James (40, LA Lakers), will be a member of the US national basketball team, the ‘Dream Team’. James, who was selected as the NBA regular season and finals MVP four times each, is participating in his fourth Olympics. He won a bronze medal in the 2004 Athens Games, his first, and gold medals in the 2008 Beijing Games and the 2012 London Games. He said, “I chose to go to Paris because I wanted to repay the national team with whom I shared glory in the past.” NBA scoring champions Stephen Curry (36, Golden State) and Kevin Durant (36, Phoenix), the “3-point shooting wizard,” have joined the Dream Team to help USA Basketball win its fifth consecutive Olympic title and 17th overall.

World No. 1 women’s golfer Nelly Korda (26, USA) is aiming for her second consecutive Olympic title. Korda, the 2021 Tokyo Olympic gold medalist, has the most wins (6 wins) on the LPGA Tour this season. She tied the record for most consecutive wins on the LPGA Tour by lifting the trophy in all five tournaments she competed in from January to April. When Korda won the Chevron Championship in April, she received enthusiastic support from American fans, with 1.9 million viewers watching, the most since the 2010 tournament. Korda said, “It’s an honor to represent the United States again. I’ll challenge for the gold medal this time too.”

American gymnastics queen Simone Biles (27) was the first athlete mentioned by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as a star to watch at the Paris Olympics. Biles, who won four gold medals at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games, withdrew from the Tokyo Olympics due to extreme stress. After a two-year hiatus, Biles regained her former form by winning four gold medals at the World Championships last year. Biles, who is aiming for multiple gold medals at the Paris Olympics, said, “I want to see how far I can go by pushing my limits.”

Kenyan marathon hero Eliud Kipchoge (40) is attempting to become the first athlete to win three consecutive Olympic marathons. He made his Olympic debut as a 5000m athlete and won bronze and silver medals in the event in Athens in 2004 and Beijing in 2008, respectively. He changed his event to the marathon at the 2016 Rio Olympics and won two consecutive championships up to the Tokyo Games. Only three athletes have won the Olympic marathon twice in a row: Kipchoge, Abebe Bikila (Ethiopia, 1960 Rome, 1964 Tokyo), and Waldemar Cyrpinski (Germany, 1976 Montreal, 1980 Moscow). Kipchoge, who finished 10th in the Tokyo Marathon in March, said, “There are times when I get tired, but the marathon is about running. I will make history by winning three times in a row.” 파워볼사이트