Invisible Support from “Hyundai Family” Contribute Lydia Ko Wins Women’s Golf Gold at 2024 Paris Olympics
Lydia Ko, the golf prodigy born in Seoul and raised in New Zealand, has once again made history by winning the women’s golf gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The event, held at Le Golf National in Guyancourt, near Paris, saw Ko finish with a final score of 10-under-par 278, securing her place in the annals of Olympic history.
Ko’s victory is particularly momentous as it completes her collection of Olympic medals, having previously won a silver medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics and a bronze at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. This achievement makes her the first golfer to win medals of all colors in the sport since its reintroduction to the Olympics in 2016 after a 112-year hiatus.
In an emotional interview following her win, Ko expressed deep gratitude to her family for their unwavering support. “I ate Korean food every day here,” she said, attributing her success to her sister’s efforts.
“My sister brought a lot of bulgogi, stir-fried squid, and samgyetang.
Today’s victory is thanks to my sister.” She also mentioned the absence of her husband, Jung Joon, but noted the enthusiastic support from her parents-in-law. “Unfortunately, my husband couldn’t come, but my parents-in-law cheered for me,” she added with a smile.
Ko’s husband, Jung Joon, is the son of Jung Tae-young, Vice Chairman of Hyundai Card, and the grandson of Chung Mong-koo, Honorary Chairman of Hyundai Motor Group.
The Hyundai family, one of South Korea’s most prominent business dynasties, has been a significant source of support for Ko throughout her career. Jung Tae-young, in particular, has been vocal in his support, frequently posting photos and messages of encouragement on social media during the competition.
“Olympic women’s golf. I support the Korean team and the New Zealand team or the New Zealand team and the Korean team,” Jung Tae-young wrote on Instagram, reflecting his dual support for both his daughter-in-law and her adopted country.
After Ko’s gold medal was confirmed, he praised her dedication and skill, stating, “A member of our family played the most important game of her life.
She is so sincere about her work that I followed her with respect today.”
Jung Tae-young also shared the lengths to which the family went to support Ko during the Olympics. On Facebook, he recounted how they arranged for lunchboxes from a restaurant known for serving Korean archers who had previously won gold medals, hoping to pass on the “gold medal energy.”
Despite strict security measures that prevented direct delivery to Ko’s accommodation, a daily operation was set up to ensure the lunchboxes reached her team. “I am really grateful to the restaurant that made the lunchboxes with care every day, everyone who helped, and the French people at the venue who understood the purpose and carefully delivered the foreign food,” he wrote.
“I wonder if the gold medal energy from archery was also passed on to Lydia through the lunchboxes.”
Ko’s victory not only adds to her Olympic accolades but also secures her induction into the LPGA Tour Hall of Fame. With this gold medal, she earned the final point needed to reach the required 27 points for induction, cementing her legacy in women’s golf.
Her total LPGA Tour wins now stand at 20, a testament to her enduring excellence in the sport.
As the world celebrates Lydia Ko’s historic achievement, her journey from a young immigrant in New Zealand to an Olympic champion and Hall of Famer serves as an inspiring testament to talent, hard work, and the power of familial support.
