Chang Sop-choe (born 18 July 1955) is a North Korean former long-distance runner. He competed in the marathon at the 1976 Summer Olympics and the 1980 Summer Olympics.[1]

Chang Sop-choe
Personal information
Birth name최창섭, Choe Chang-seop
NationalityNorth Korean
Born (1955-07-18) 18 July 1955 (age 69)
Sport
SportLong-distance running
EventMarathon

Chang won the 1975 Košice Peace Marathon with a record time. His win signified the beginning of marathon running in earnest in North Korea. He became the greatest North Korean athlete of his time, and received the title of Merited Athlete. The popular film Run, Korea! depicts his life.[2]

Mun Gyong-ae, a female marathoner who brought marathon back to the forefront after a decline in the 1980s, has been compared to Chang.[3]

References

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  1. ^ Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Chang Sop-choe Olympic Results". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 18 April 2020. Retrieved 11 May 2017.
  2. ^ North Korea Handbook 2002, p. 492.
  3. ^ North Korea Handbook 2002, p. 493.

Works cited

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