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Korea's Olympic squad returned home on this Tuesday... to a hero's welcome.
Some came back sporting medals, some didn't... but they all came back looking ahead to 2018
when Korea's resort town of PyeongChang will play host to the Games.
Our Sochi 2014 correspondent Song Ji-sun went out to welcome the athletes... and the Olympic
flag. Home sweet home. Whether returning with medals or without them
on Tuesday, all the Korean athletes were welcomed with cheers from home fans after landing at
Incheon Airport.
"We return from Sochi with eight medals overall. We finished in 13th place in the medal count
-- falling short of our initial goal of being in the top 10.
But all the athletes gave it their best - especially the female Olympians. They did a great job,
with short track skaters winning multiple medals."
The under-achievement could have been disappointing... considering the efforts input over the past
four years. But figure skater Kim Yu-na... is content,
despite winning silver in an event many believe she should have won gold in.
"I am just glad that it's all over now, and that I was able to show all that I've prepared
through the tough times. I still can't believe it's all over now."
And those that made a successful debut are already picturing themselves at the next Games.
"I am grateful I won medals of all colors. I want to prepare well over the next four
years and do even better at PyeongChang."
The Olympic flag from Sochi was also on board the same plane as the athletes, and will call
the provincial office of PyeongChang its new home starting later this week.
"The run up to PyeongChang has begun. All eyes are now on us, and we've studied everything
from Sochi. We will showcase Korea, a developed country now - three decades after hosting
the Seoul Summer Games in 1988."
"Both the winter sports athletes and the PyeongChang Organizing Committee came back from Sochi
with some lessons learned -- to host a memorable Games, and to make the stage at home their
own. Song Ji-sun, Arirang News, Incheon."