Co-head of S. Korean Olympic body to skip Rio due to health issues

SEOUL, July 25 (Yonhap) -- A co-president of the South Korean Olympic body will not attend next month's Rio de Janeiro Olympics due to health issues, an official with the organization said Monday.

The Korean Olympic Committee (KOC) official said Kim Jung-haeng, 72, has experienced "health problems" since attending the national team launching ceremony last Tuesday.

"Doctors have recommended that he not get on a long-haul flight, and he has decided not to travel to Rio for the Olympics," the official added.

Kim had a heart operation in May last year.

In his place, the other president of the KOC, Kang Young-joong, will be traveling to Brazil. Kang wasn't originally scheduled to make the trip.

In the meantime, KOC's secretary-general, Cho Young-ho, will serve as the interim president. Cho will lead the main delegation to Rio on Wednesday.

Another KOC official said Kim may rejoin the delegation once his conditions improve, but it doesn't appear likely at the moment."

jeeho@yna.co.kr
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