Weightlifter Jang to launch foundation to support minor sports


A little more than 10 years ago, Jang Mi-ran made a life decision. While chasing her dream of becoming a successful Olympian, the then-teenager committed herself to becoming a national weightlifter.

Now, after achieving her life-long dream, winning numerous titles, the 28-year-old has found a new dream: helping young hopefuls in minor sports to become like her one day.

“I’m grateful for everybody who has been supporting me, and I believe it’s time for me to give something back to them,” Jang said.

On Thursday at the Press Center in Seoul, the Beijing gold medalist signed an MOU with Visa to take the first step for her Jang Miran Foundation.

“For a long time, I’ve always wanted to help less-popular Olympic sports which are in need of financial support,” the athlete said with a big smile.

According to her, the foundation, which will be officially established in February 2012, will set up various sports-related programs, including sports education programs to nurture young Korean athletes and physical education programs for the underprivileged and multicultural families.

Visa, the official sponsor of the Olympics, pledged on Thursday to provide her with marketing and communications support as well as funding.

James Dixon, Visa Korea President said: “Our relationship is special. Jang is a member of an elite group of Visa-sponsored athletes for the London 2012 Olympic Games. And we are honored to be the partner of Jang in launching the Jang Miran Foundation.”

The company’s support will include some online and TV promotions and also offline events where people can participate in making donations for the lesser-known Olympic sports they want to support, he added.

“I’m hoping to bring more pubic interest and engagement to minor sports and providing more realistic and long-term support,” Jang said.

But she has a more immediate goal in mind ― she is hoping to win another medal in London next summer.

Jang recently announced that she will skip next month’s World Championships in order to focus on training for the London 2012 Games. But the decision triggered speculations that she is thinking of retiring after the London Games.

On Thursday, Jang, however, dismissed the rumors, noting, “I never thought of retirement. I want to do this as long as I can lift a barbell.”

For a decade, the 170 cm-tall athlete, who can lift over 180 kg above her head, sacrificed her youth for more than 10 weightlifting medals, which include 2004 Athens silver, and 2008 Beijing gold medals.

After winning her first World Championships in 2005, she kept the title under her belt for four consecutive years until 2009. In 2009 she was named as the Best Female Lifter by the International Weightlifting Federation.

And this year, the hard-working weightlifter made history by becoming the first athlete to have won the national championships nine times in a row.

Asked about her preparations for the London 2012, Jang noted that her goal is not just wining a medal but bringing hope for future Olympians.

“People say they are thrilled watching me trying to lift the barbell. I hope to give them pleasure again, and to encourage young athletes,” she added.

By Oh Kyu-wook (596story@heraldcorp.com)