Yongin City Establishes Swimming Team for People with Disabilities

Four Athletes Recruited... Business Agreement Signed with the Korea Paralympic Swimming Federation
Mayor Lee: "We Will Actively Support to Inspire Courage and Hope for People with Disabilities"

On the 20th, Yongin City in Gyeonggi Province established a swimming team for people with disabilities under the city's workplace sports club.

On the same day, Mayor Lee Sang-il, Sung Baek-yoo, president of the Korea Paralympic Swimming Federation, athletes' families, and about 70 others attended the team inauguration ceremony held at the city hall convention hall.

At the inauguration ceremony of the Yongin City Hall Disabled Swimming Team held on the 20th, Mayor Lee Sang-il is pledging the team's success together with the athletes, their families, and the Korea Disabled Swimming Federation. Photo by Yongin City

The city appointed Mr. Ju Gil-ho as the first head coach of the disabled swimming team. Coach Ju previously served as the head coach for the swimming team at the 2016 Rio Paralympics and the 2021 Tokyo Paralympics.

The team includes four founding members: swimmer Jo Gi-seong, who placed 4th at last year's Paris Paralympics and won three gold medals in freestyle and breaststroke at the National Sports Festival; swimmer Chae Ye-ji, who ranked 5th at the 2021 Brazil Deaflympics and won two gold medals in breaststroke at the 2024 National Sports Festival; swimmer Kwon Yong-hwa, who won two gold medals in backstroke at the 2024 National Sports Festival; and swimmer Oh Seok-jun, who placed 3rd in the men's medley relay at the 2024 National Sports Festival.

Prior to the inauguration ceremony, the city also signed a business agreement with the Korea Paralympic Swimming Federation. Through this agreement, both parties agreed to cooperate to host the National Disabled Swimming Competition at the 'Bandabi Sports Center,' scheduled for completion in 2028.

Mayor Lee said, "The establishment of the disabled swimming team today is a very meaningful day for our Yongin City," adding, "We will join forces with the Korea Paralympic Swimming Federation to successfully host the National Disabled Swimming Competition upon the completion of the Bandabi Sports Center."

The Bandabi Sports Center, currently being promoted by the city, is planned to have a total floor area of 18,920 square meters and will include a swimming pool with 10 lanes of 50 meters each, a diving pool, and various other sports facilities. The project is currently undergoing central investment review by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, with a target completion date at the end of 2028.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.