Sohn Kee Chung, the South Korean athlete annexed by Japan

On November 3, 1935, South Korean Sohn Kee-Chung qualified for the 1936 Olympics by setting a world record in the marathon 🏅. He completed the 42.195 km in 2h 26' and 42" ⏱️. Due to the occupation of Korea by Japan, Sohn was forced to compete under a Japanese identity. His name was even forcibly changed to Son Kitei. A fervent nationalist, Sohn Kee-Chung took the time to explain that Korea was a distinct nation when asked about his origins during the event 📍. 

A silent rebellion 

On the day of the race, Sohn won the marathon with more than a two-minute lead over his competitors in 2h29 💨. His compatriot Nam Seung-yong, also under a Japanese identity, finished third behind the British Ernest Harper 🥉. After the victory came the podium moment. Sohn ascended the top step to receive his gold medal. But there was no smile on his face 🙁. When the Japanese anthem played, the athlete lowered his head and covered the Japanese flag on his jacket 🇯🇵. This non-celebration, a sign of protest, became historic 🤓. After this feat, the athlete retired from athletics to devote himself to the struggle for his country's independence and to train young hopefuls like Suh Yun-bok, a marathon specialist 👏. 

An athlete becoming a national figure 

Back in South Korea, Sohn Kee-Chung became a national hero. The South Korean daily newspaper Dong-a-Ilbo published a photo of Sohn on the podium with an alteration: the Japanese flag on Sohn's jersey was concealed 🇰🇷. In response, the Japanese colonial authorities imprisoned 8 newspaper employees and suspended its publication for nine months ❌.

Independent Korea participated in its first Olympic Games in London in 1948. It was then that Sohn had the honor of carrying the South Korean flag for the opening ceremony 🔥. And in 1988, he carried the Olympic flame at the Seoul games, moving the entire country 🥲. The images are striking: Sohn Kee-Chung, 76 years old, is applauded by the entire stadium and the 14,000 athletes present. To ensure he was never forgotten, the Seoul Olympic Committee in the 80s sent numerous letters to Lausanne to have his Korean name restored. The name Son Kitei was removed from IOC records in 2011, but the athlete passed away in 2002. 

The marathoner Sohn Chee-Kung made history by protesting on the highest step of the Olympic podium, with the simple protest of lowering his head ⬇️. A simple but courageous gesture that marked a whole nation.