Two Korean gold medalists from the Paris Olympics are in the spotlight once more, as the country’s leading food companies have celebrated the athletes’ parents — who are employed by these firms — with generous rewards.
Park Ok-cheon, the father of Park Tae-joon, who won gold in the men’s 58-kilogram taekwondo category on Aug. 8, was honored by Maeil Dairies on Monday. As one of Korea’s largest dairy producers, Maeil Dairies invited the elder Park to its Seoul office and presented him with rewards in recognition of his son’s achievement.
The rewards included Maeil Dairies’ nutrition supplement products, such as Selex Profit protein drinks, valued at 60 million won ($44,000), as well as 커뮤니티 a congratulatory monetary gift. According to the company, these supplements will be sufficient to support the 20-year-old athlete’s training and preparation for the next Summer Olympics in Los Angeles over the next four years.
The athlete’s father works for M’s Bakers, a subsidiary of Maeil Dairies that specializes in dessert products.
M’s Bakers President Cho Seong-hyung said it is an honor for the company to be associated with Park’s remarkable achievement. He added that M’s Bakers will continue to support the athlete’s health and development.
Park said his son may have built up his strength thanks to the company’s milk and dairy products that he has been consuming.