Doha, Dec 11: The teammates of South Korean equestrian
rider Kim Hyung-Chil, who died on Dec 7 in a fall during a wet
Asian games three day event, are keeping vigil at a memorial
in his honor at the athlete`s village.
A small white tent has been erected on the grounds of the
village, containing a framed photograph of kim surrounded by
white flowers. Fruit and flower petals are arranged on the
ground, while incense burns.
Kim`s roommates and former equestrian teammates Choi
Jun-Sang and Joo Jung-Hyun, dressed with black ribbons pinned
to their white korean tracksuits, stand and bow to greet a
range of visitors of different nationalities before handing
over a white rose.
"I still cannot believe it. I console myself that maybe
he has gone out for some time, maybe on the lawn or at the
dining table ...And he will be back soon," Choi was quoted as
saying by local media.
Kim`s brother arrived in Qatar on Friday to collect the
body, as equestrian officials defended their decision to
continue running the cross-country stage following the death
and despite the deteriorating weather conditions.
Bureau Reports
