Korean-born Dawson lauds nation's Olympic bid

South Korea-born former U.S. Olympic skier Toby Dawson wants to help Korean athletes get ready to compete in the 2014 Winter Olympics.

SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea-born former U.S. Olympic freestyle medalist Toby Dawson wants to help Korean athletes get ready to compete in the 2014 Winter Olympics.
    ''My passion is to develop a strong program in (South) Korea to get Korean athletes prepared to not just mentally but physically … be in medal contention for the 2014 Winter Olympics,'' Dawson told reporters in Seoul.
    Dawson was lost at age 3 in a market in Busan, South Korea, eventually resulting in his adoption by American parents and upbringing in the ski resort town of Vail, Colorado.
    Dawson's story as a Korean adoptee living in the U.S. received wide media attention in South Korea after he captured the bronze medal in freestyle moguls at the Torino Olympics last year.
    The 28-year-old skier, who is now retired, was reunited with his biological father in Seoul in February.
    Dawson was in South Korea on Tuesday to promote the country's bid for the 2014 Winter Olympics.
    He was named earlier this year as an honorary ambassador for Pyeongchang, which is competing against Sochi, Russia, and Salzburg, Austria for the Games. The host city will be selected by the International Olympic Committee on July 4.
    ''I know that Korea is so committed and will put on such a great show,'' Dawson said. ''I am so happy to be a part of this great thing because it's such a good cause for the people and for the community, and also for the world to come to Korea and see how well we can put on a great event.''

    — The Associated Press