(Universiade) Main S. Korean squad arrives in host city

By Park Sojung

GWANGJU, July 1 (Yonhap) -- The main South Korean squad to the Summer Universiade arrived in the host city of Gwangju on Wednesday, two days before the opening of the multisport competition for student-athletes.

You Byong-jin, chief of the delegation, headlined the team of 29 at the athletes' village in Gwangju, 330 kilometers south of Seoul. They were joined by athletes in artistic gymnastics, football, volleyball and water polo.

South Korea will have 516 athletes and officials in all 21 sports, with the goal of finishing in the top three in the standings with at least 25 gold medals.

The formal welcome ceremony will take place at 4 p.m. Thursday.

The opening ceremony is scheduled for Friday evening, but preliminary matches for football and volleyball will start Thursday. The men's football team will take on Chinese Taipei and the women's team will face the Czech Republic, both at 11 a.m., for the host country's first Universiade action.

You told reporters that he has faith in the athletes to overcome the pressure of competing at home.

"Now that I've finally arrived at the athletes' village, it has really hit me that the competition is just around the corner," he said. "We hope to give the people something to cheer about. We know the fans will have high expectations but I trust these athletes."

You expects South Korea to excel in taekwondo, archery and judo, and said he also hopes to see surprising stars emerge from other sports.

sojungpark@yna.co.kr
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