Choi Yun-chil

Choi Yun-chil (19 July 1928 – 8 October 2020) was a South Korean long-distance runner who was a two-time Olympian[2] and a two-time national champion in the marathon.[3]

In this Korean name, the family name is Choi.
Choi Yun-chil
Personal information
Born19 July 1928
Dancheon, Japanese Korea (now North Korea)
DiedOctober 8, 2020(2020-10-08) (aged 92)[1]
Sport
CountrySouth Korea
Sportrunning
Event(s)marathon
Korean name
Hangul
최윤칠
Hanja
崔崙七
Revised RomanizationChoe Yunchil
McCune–ReischauerCh'oe Ryunch'il
Achievements and titles
National finalsTwo-time champion
Olympic finals1948 (DNF), 1952(4th)
Medal record
Men's athletics
Asian Games
1954 Manila Men's 1500 m
1954 Manila Men's 5000 m

Career

Choi led the marathon at the 1948 Summer Olympics in London before dropping out with less than 5 kilometers left in the race.[4] He finished third in the 1950 Boston Marathon,[5][6] but the Boston Athletic Association denied his entry into the following year's event.[7] During the height of the Korean War, BAA President Walter A. Brown stated: "While American soldiers are fighting and dying in Korea, every Korean should be fighting to protect his country instead of training for marathons. As long as the war continues there, we positively will not accept Korean entries for our race on April 19."[7] In 1952, Choi finished fourth in the Olympic marathon at Helsinki.[8]

References
  1. Choi Yun-chil's obituary (in Korean)
  2. Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Choi Yun-Chil". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2020-04-17.
  3. https://www.arrs.run/NC_MaraKOR.htm
  4. Martin, David E.; Roger W. H. Gynn (May 2000). The Olympic Marathon. Human Kinetics Publishers. p. 188. ISBN 978-0-88011-969-6.
  5. https://www.arrs.run/MaraRank/ATM_Mara1950.htm
  6. Sport: Koreans in a Hurry. Time, May 1, 1950.
  7. Sport: Banned in Boston. Time, February 12, 1951.
  8. Martin, David E.; Roger W. H. Gynn (May 2000). The Olympic Marathon. Human Kinetics Publishers. pp. 205–207. ISBN 978-0-88011-969-6.


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