For some athletes, a silver medal is just not good enough.
North Korea’s Om Yun-Chol, who claimed gold at the 2012 Games in London, told reporters that he was disappointed with his second-place finish in the 56-kilogram weightlifting competition in Rio de Janeiro.
“I am not a hero in North Korea because I didn’t win gold,” he said after the second place result on Sunday, according to The Korea Times.
China’s Long Qingquan took home gold with a combined lift of 307 kilograms.
Om also apologized for his loss, specifically referring to Kim Jong-Il, the North Korean leader who passed away in 2011. “He will be my inspiration forever and I’m sorry that I wasn’t able to repay with a gold medal,” Om said, according to the AFP.
Om had been difficult to match leading up to Rio, winning three consecutive world championships, including a record-setting performance last year in Houston.
