Letters from Admirers

[Anchor Lead]

Also in Olympic sports, national badminton athlete Kim Ha-na has received handwritten letters from her juniors cheering her on. Here’s more.

[Pkg]

Elementary school students are busy writing letters. They write each character with extra care and draw pictures to convey their feelings. The letters are addressed to national badminton athlete Kim Ha-na, who is soon to compete in the Rio Olympics.

[Soundbite] Kang Chan (Student, Donggwang Elementary School) : "We are writing letters for athlete Kim Ha-na to cheer on her efforts to win a gold medal in the Olympics because she also studied at this school."

Kim, who along with her partner is ranked second in the world in badminton mixed doubles, aims to win a gold medal in Rio. Kim first started learning to play badminton while attending this school. To these children, whose senior is to compete in the Olympic games, Kim represents their dreams and aspirations.

[Soundbite] Kim Hyun-bin(Student, Donggwang Elementary School) : "I am proud of Kim Ha-na and I continue to train hard to become a national athlete like her."

Writing letters to the badminton star has strengthened the children's affection for their school.

[Soundbite] Ko Ji-yeon(Teacher, Donggwang Elementary School) : "By writing letters, the children will become very proud of their senior becoming a national athlete. This will strengthen their affection for their school, which shows in their letters."

More than 400 handwritten letters from the young supporters will be delivered to Kim Ha-na in Taeneung Athletes' Village in mid-July.