LONDON — South Korean archer Im Dong-hyun sees only blurred colors and lines when he peers toward the target about 76 yards away, arrow at the ready. It doesn't stop the legally blind Olympian from hitting the grapefruit-sized yellow center – again and again and again.

Im set the first world record of the London Olympics on Friday, breaking his own mark in the 72-arrow event and helping South Korea set a team record in the opening round. He broke the record he set in Turkey in May by three points with a score of 699, hours before the opening ceremony of the 2012 Games.

"This is just the first round, so I will not get too excited by it," said Im, who has 10 percent vision in his left eye and 20 percent in his right.

He combined with Kim Bub-min and Oh Jin-hyek, breaking the record for 216 arrows with a score of 2,087. That was 18 better than the mark South Korea set in May.

The 26-year-old Im does not wear glasses in competition, saying he relies on distinguishing between the bright colors of the target. He won gold in the team event at the 2004 and 2008 Olympics.

South Korean coach Jang Young Sool also didn't seem too impressed by his team's accomplishment. He said his archers must get ready their next test.

"We will have a day of rest now and prepare for tomorrow," he said of the gold-medal match Saturday.

France finished second in the team event, followed by China and the U.S., which was ranked No. 1 coming into the event. The U.S. men beat South Korea last October in London.

Brady Ellison, world No. 1 individual archer, said the conditions were ideal Friday and he wasn't surprised the individual world record fell.

"I don't think you get those types of scores anywhere if the weather wasn't just perfect today," the American said. "Korea shoots good, and if you look at the scores, they're always top in the ranking round."

Also Friday, the American women's team scored a surprising second-place finish. Miranda Leek, Jennifer Nichols and Khatuna Lorig scored 1,979 points with 216 arrows. They were 14 points behind South Korea, which scored 1,993 points.

The U.S. team is ranked No. 6 in the world and qualified for London just last month in Utah.

Lorig, competing in her fifth Olympics, finished fourth in the individual event with 669 points on 72 arrows. She trailed archers from South Korea and Taiwan, all tied at 671 points.

"The ranking round is just a practice," she said. "As a team it is going really well. There is great team spirit and everybody is happy."

Lorig is a naturalized American who's represented the Unified Team of the former Soviet Union, the Republic of Georgia and the U.S. She coached archery to Jennifer Lawrence, star of "The Hunger Games."

Spectators hoping to catch a glimpse of the action Friday were turned away from Lord's cricket ground.

Preliminary rounds were listed as non-ticketed, so several thousand spectators showed up at the venue expecting to get in for free.

A spokeswoman for the London Games organizing committee said tickets were not advertised or sold for the qualifying events and "we have always made it clear" that the early competitions were not open for spectators.

(This version CORRECTS Corrects style on Taiwan; minor edits.)

Olympians To Watch
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  • LeBron James

    COUNTRY: USA EVENT: Men's Basketball AGE: 27 HOMETOWN: Akron, Ohio OLYMPIC EXPERIENCE: 2004 Athens (Bronze), 2008 Beijing (Gold) *All information courtesy of <a href="http://www.teamusa.org/Athletes/JA/LeBron-James.aspx" target="_hplink">www.teamusa.org</a> Fresh off his first career NBA championship, three-time NBA MVP LeBron James is looking to add some more hardware to his expanding collection. One of the most dominant players to ever play basketball, James will try to capture his second Olympic gold medal in Team USA's title defense.

  • Michael Phelps

    COUNTRY: USA EVENT: Men's Swimming AGE: 27 HOMETOWN: Baltimore, Maryland OLYMPIC EXPERIENCE: 2004 Athens (2 Gold, 2 Bronze), 2008 Beijing (8 Gold) *All information courtesy of <a href="http://www.teamusa.org/Athletes/PH/Michael-Phelps.aspx" target="_hplink">www.teamusa.org</a> He <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/02/michael-phelps-drops-london-olympics-8-golds-200_n_1643660.html" target="_hplink">isn't trying to top his 2008 world record eight Olympic gold medals</a>, but Michael Phelps still has a chance to come home with plenty of gold wrapped around his neck. Rival and teammate Ryan Lochte might have other plans, though.

  • Usain Bolt

    COUNTRY: Jamaica EVENT: Track and Field AGE: 25 HOMETOWN: Kingston, Jamaica OLYMPIC EXPERIENCE: 2008 Beijing (3 Gold) *All information courtesy of <a href="http://usainbolt.com/" target="_hplink">www.usainbolt.com</a> Needless to say, all eyes will be on Usain Bolt when he steps on the track in London. Not just to see if he can duplicate a performance anything like what he did in 2008, but just to see the 6'5'' phenom and reigning world's fastest man compete on the world's biggest stage.

  • Abby Wambach

    COUNTRY: USA EVENT: Women's Soccer AGE: 32 HOMETOWN: Rochester, New York OLYMPIC EXPERIENCE: 2004 Athens (Gold) *All information courtesy of <a href="http://www.teamusa.org/Athletes/WA/Abby-Wambach.aspx" target="_hplink">www.teamusa.org</a> Abby Wambach, last year's AP Female Athlete of the Year, isn't just trying to lead the U.S. women's soccer team to another Olympic gold medal victory. She is looking to <a href="http://articles.latimes.com/2012/jul/19/sports/la-sp-oly-soccer-abby-wambach-20120720" target="_hplink">build on the momentum in popularity she and her teammates helped build for women's soccer in the United States. </a>

  • Roger Federer

    COUNTRY: Switzerland EVENT: Men's Tennis AGE: 30 HOMETOWN: Basel, Switzerland OLYMPIC EXPERIENCE: 2004 Athens, 2008 Beijing (Gold) *All information courtesy of <a href="http://www.rogerfederer.com/en.html" target="_hplink">www.rogerfederer.com</a> Not too long ago Roger Federer showed that he isn't done winning grand slams, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/08/roger-federer-defeats-andy-murray-wimbledon-final_n_1657394.html" target="_hplink">defeating Andy Murray for his seventh Wimbledon title</a>. Well, he'll be playing on those same grass courts where he has been dominant at the London Olympics. With a gold medal in doubles in 2008, Federer will be going for his first Olympic gold medal in singles.

  • Hope Solo

    COUNTRY: USA EVENT: Women's Soccer AGE: 30 HOMETOWN: Richland, Washington OLYMPIC EXPERIENCE: 2008 Beijing (Gold) *All information courtesy of <a href="http://www.teamusa.org/Athletes/SO/Hope-Solo.aspx" target="_hplink">www.teamusa.org</a> Although Hope raised eyebrows recently revealing her "Olympic secret" about partying in the village in 2008, the U.S. star goalkeeper seems poised to <a href="http://www.timesheraldonline.com/sports/ci_21127639/u-s-goalkeeper-hope-solo-ready-olympics" target="_hplink">lead her team to another gold medal without any distractions. </a>

  • Ryan Lochte

    COUNTRY: USA EVENT: Men's Swimming AGE: 27 HOMETOWN: Daytona Beach, Florida OLYMPIC EXPERIENCE: 2004 Athens (Gold, SIlver), 2008 Beijing (2 Gold, 2 Bronze) *All information courtesy of <a href="http://www.teamusa.org/Athletes/LO/Ryan-Lochte.aspx" target="_hplink">www.teamusa.org</a> One of the biggest challenges in Michael Phelps' path is teammate Ryan Lochte. Despite both representing the U.S., the pair has developed into a fierce rivalry with both getting the best of each other over the last few years. Lochte beat Phelps twice in the 2011 World Championships, but Phelps came out on top three out of four times at the Olympic trials. They're competing in two races against each other. It might be safe to say there will be plenty of viewers tuned in for those.

  • Yelena Isinbayeva

    COUNTRY: Russia EVENT: Pole Vault AGE: 30 HOMETOWN: Volgograd, Russia OLYMPIC EXPERIENCE: 2004 Athens (Gold) *All information courtesy of <a href="http://www.yelena-isinbaeva.com/" target="_hplink">www.yelena-isinbaeva.com</a> Isinbaeva is the heavy favorite to take the gold in London, just like she did in Beijing and Athens. The 30-year-old, who's the pole vault world record holder, will try to become the <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/athletics/9413017/London-2012-Olympics-pole-vault-champion-Yelena-Isinbayeva-looks-to-hit-heights-again-after-slump-in-fortunes.html" target="_hplink">first woman ever to win three consecutive Olympic track and field titles</a>. No matter the result, her coach Valentin Maslakov <a href="http://www.deccanherald.com/content/266288/isinbayeva-may-retire-games.html" target="_hplink">expects her to retire</a> after the London Games.

  • Matthew Mitcham

    COUNTRY: Australia EVENT: Men's Diving AGE: 24 HOMETOWN: Sydney, Australia OLYMPIC EXPERIENCE: 2008 Beijing (Gold) *All information courtesy of <a href="http://london2012.olympics.com.au/athlete/matthew-mitcham" target="_hplink">www.olympics.com.au</a> Nicknamed M'n'M, Matthews Mitcham is trying to repeat with an Olympic gold medal after becoming the first Australian to do so since 1924 when he received the highest single-dive score in Olympic history in Beijing. The 24-year-old <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/18/matthew-mitcham-gay-olympic-diving-champion_n_1435257.html" target="_hplink">openly gay diver</a> recently said that his mental toughness <a href="http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=8503335" target="_hplink">"could make the difference"</a> in winning at the London Games.

  • Bradley Wiggins

    COUNTRY: Great Britain EVENT: Cycling AGE: 32 HOMETOWN: Eccleston, Lancashire, England OLYMPIC EXPERIENCE: 2000 Sydney (Bronze), 2004 Athens (Gold, Silver, Bronze), 2008 Beijing (2 Gold) *All information courtesy of <a href="http://www.teamsky.com/profile/0,27291,17543_6636468,00.html" target="_hplink">www.teamsky.com</a>, and <em><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/othersports/article-2177640/Bradley-Wiggins-training-Eccleston-winning-Tour-France.html?ito=feeds-newsxml" target="_hplink">The Daily Mail</a></em> Fresh of becoming the<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/22/bradley-wiggins-tour-de-france-2012-winner_n_1693146.html" target="_hplink"> first British cyclist ever to win the Tour de France</a>, Bradley Wiggins looks to continue his winning ways in London. He has already won <a href="http://www.london2012.com/athlete/wiggins-bradley-1093813/" target="_hplink">three other events in 2012</a> other than the Tour de France, making him one of the <a href="http://www.oddschecker.com/olympics/cycling/mens/time-trial/winner" target="_hplink">favorites </a>to bring home an Olympic gold medal.

  • Wu Peng

    COUNTRY: China EVENT: Men's Swimming AGE: 25 HOMETOWN: Hangzhou, China OLYMPIC EXPERIENCE: 2004 Athens, 2008 Beijing *All information courtesy of <a href="http://www.nbcolympics.com/news-blogs/swimming/wu-peng-bio.html" target="_hplink">www.nbcolympics.com</a> Wu Peng didn't have the outcome he was looking for in 2008. Nobody did when Michael Phelps was in the pool. But in 2011 <a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multimedia/photo_gallery/1107/olympics-2012-olympians-to-watch/content.46.html" target="_hplink">Peng took down Phelps twice in the 200 fly</a>, a race Phelps hadn't lost in nine years. Peng, coming off an<a href="http://swimswam.com/2012/07/wu-peng-blasts-154-200-fly-at-canada-cup-in-montreal/" target="_hplink"> impressive performance at the Canada Cup</a>, recently said he <a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/others/Chinas-Wu-Peng-beats-Michael-Phelps-in-200-meter-butterfly/articleshow/13116847.cms" target="_hplink">will be happy if he wins any medal in London. </a>

  • Sarah Robles

    COUNTRY: USA EVENT: Weightlifting AGE: 23 HOMETOWN: San Diego, California OLYMPIC EXPERIENCE: N/A *All information courtesy of <a href="http://www.nbcolympics.com/kmir/local-athletes/athlete=sarah-robles/index.html" target="_hplink">www.nbcolympics.com</a> Sarah Roble's will look to cap her uplifting journey, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/18/sarah-robles-london-olympic-weightlifting-2012_n_1683508.html" target="_hplink">in which she overcame financial struggles and body image issues</a>, with the gold medal at the London Games. Robles, <a href="http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Weightlifting/Features/2012/July/02/Robles-once-a-spectator-now-an-Olympian.aspx" target="_hplink">the reigning four-time National Champion for the 75+ kg</a> division and top-tanked U.S. female weightlifter, will be competing alongside teammate Holly Mangold as the only two female weightlifters representing the United States.

  • Mariel Zagunis

    COUNTRY: USA EVENT: Fencing AGE: 27 HOMETOWN: Beaverton, Oregon OLYMPIC EXPERIENCE: 2004 Athens (Gold), 2008 Beijing (Gold, Bronze) *All information courtesy of <a href="http://www.marielzagunis.com" target="_hplink">www.marielzagunis.com</a> It may be tough to believe that fencing star Mariel Zagunis was <a href="http://usfencing.org/athletes/mariel-zagunis" target="_hplink">originally a replacement athlete for the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team.</a> When the women's saber event made its debut in 2004, Zagunis came home with the gold becoming the first U.S. fencer in 100 years to accomplish that feat. After winning the gold in Beijing, Zagunis will try to three-pete in London.

  • Lauren Jackson

    COUNTRY: Australia EVENT: Women's Basketball AGE: 31 HOMETOWN: Sydney, Australia OLYMPIC EXPERIENCE: 2000 Sydney (Silver), 2004 Athens (Silver), 2008 Beijing (Silver) *All information courtesy of l<a href="http://london2012.olympics.com.au/athlete/lauren-jackson" target="_hplink">ondon2012.olympics.com.au</a> Lauren Jackson, a three-time WNBA MVP, will try to lead Australia to a gold medal after finishing with the silver in 2008. Knowing that this might be her last opportunity to win gold at age 31, Jackson skipped the first half of the 2012 WNBA season to prepare. "The one thing I haven't done in my career is get a gold medal at the Olympic Games. It may be my last opportunity," <a href="http://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/2022-world-cup-bid/australian-wnba-star-lauren-jackson-sets-sights-on-london-olympics/story-e6frg25u-1226045580817" target="_hplink">she said back in 2011</a>. "Seattle Storm have been my priority for the past 11 years, they'll be my priority straight after the Olympics for probably the rest of my career. But this is something that I had to do."

  • Tyson Gay

    COUNTRY: USA EVENT: Track and Field AGE: 29 HOMETOWN: Lexington, Kentucky OLYMPIC EXPERIENCE: 2008 Beijing *All information courtesy of<a href="http://www.teamusa.org/Athletes/GA/Tyson-Gay.aspx" target="_hplink"> www.teamusa.org</a> The fastest man in the United States set quite a benchmark for the other sprinters in the Olympic 100 meters final, believing it will take 9.7 seconds <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/olympics/sns-rt-us-oly-athl-atm100-mgay-adv8bre86i138-20120719,0,14372.story" target="_hplink">"to even get a medal"</a> (Usain Bolt was the first to ever crack 9.8). Gay edged Bolt in 2010, but hip surgery in 2011 kept him from running for almost a year. After Gay's comment praising the other runners like Bolt, Yohan Blake and Asafa Powell, the U.S. track star will look to be one of the men to beat 9.8.

  • Kohei Uchimura

    COUNTRY: Japan EVENT: Men's Gymnastics AGE: 23 HOMETOWN: Nagasaki, Japan OLYMPIC EXPERIENCE: 2008 Beijing (Silver) *All information courtesy of <a href="http://www.nbcolympics.com/athletes/athlete=kohei-uchimura/index.html" target="_hplink">www.nbcolympics.com</a> When your nickname happens to be <a href="http://www.thehindu.com/sport/other-sports/article3606291.ece" target="_hplink">"Superman,"</a> you're probably going to draw plenty of attention at the London Olympics. Kohei Uchimura, 23, won the silver medal in the men's all-around gymnastics even in the 2008 Olympics. Since then he has won <a href="http://www.london2012.com/athlete/uchimura-kohei-1018136/" target="_hplink">three straight world championships</a> in that same event. <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/22/sports/olympics/the-near-perfection-of-kohei-uchimura.html" target="_hplink">No other male gymnast has ever accomplished that three-pete. </a>

  • Caster Semenya

    COUNTRY: South Africa EVENT: Track and Field AGE: 21 HOMETOWN: Fairlie, South Africa OLYMPIC EXPERIENCE: N/A *All information courtesy of <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/14239781" target="_hplink">BBC Sport</a> and <a href="http://www.nbcolympics.com/content/caster-semenya?ref=default" target="_hplink">NBC</a> Poised to put her <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/athletics/6078171/World-Athletics-Caster-Semenya-tests-show-high-testosterone-levels.html" target="_hplink">gender-test controversy behind her</a>, Caster Semenya will look to dominate the 800-meters race in London just as she did at the 2009 World Championships in Berlin. Semenya, who was also <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/jul/19/london-2012-caster-semenya" target="_hplink">chosen to carry the South African flag</a> at the opening ceremonies, finished second (800m) in the 2011 World Championships but was <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/trackandfield/news/story?id=6626100" target="_hplink">struggling with injury. </a>

  • Kenenisa Bekele

    COUNTRY: Ethiopia EVENT: Track and Field AGE: 30 HOMETOWN: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia OLYMPIC EXPERIENCE: 2004 Athens (Gold, Silver), 2008 Beijing (2 Gold) *All information courtesy of <a href="http://www.nbcolympics.com/athletes/athlete=kenenisa-bekele/index.html" target="_hplink">www.nbcolympics.com</a> Kenenisa Bekele looks to continue his reign as the best long-distance runner in the world when he once again competes in the 5000- and 10,000-meter double. He did the same in 2008, winning both events and setting Olympic records in the process. The only thing that could stop him would be injuries which have slowed down the 30-year-old. But back in May, Bekele said he was<a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/athletics/9257423/London-2012-Olympics-Ethiopian-Kenenisa-Bekele-is-free-of-injury-and-aiming-for-gold-in-both-5000-and-10000m.html" target="_hplink"> "free from injury</a>" and is aiming for gold.

  • Neymar

    COUNTRY: Brazil EVENT: Men's Soccer AGE: 20 HOMETOWN: Mogi das Cruzes, Brazil Neymar is not only the star the Brazilian soccer team, <a href="http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/sport/archives/2012/07/22/2003538343" target="_hplink">the favorite to take home the gold</a>, but he may be the best player in the entire field. Earlier this year, soccer legend Pele said Neymar is<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/11/pele-messi-surpass-neymar-best-soccer-video_n_1417118.html" target="_hplink"> better than three-time world player of the year Lionel Messi. </a><a href="http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/post/_/id/7801054/neymar-lionel-messi" target="_hplink">Many disagreed</a>, but with Messi not competing in London, Neymar is easily the one to watch.

  • Jordyn Wieber

    COUNTRY: United States EVENT: Women's Gymnastics AGE: 17 HOMETOWN: Dewitt, Michigan Jordyn Wieber - USA, gymnastics: Going into her first Olympic games as the <a href="http://www.london2012.com/athlete/wieber-jordyn-1131093/" target="_hplink">reigning world champion in the individual all-around</a>, the 17-year-old Jordyn Wieber of the United State is the <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/jul/14/jordyn-wieber-gymnastics-london-2012" target="_hplink">heavy favorite to come home with the gold. </a>

  • Lolo Jones

    COUNTRY: United States EVENT: Hurdles AGE: 29 OLYMPIC EXPERIENCE: 2008 Beijing U.S. hurdler Lolo Jones almost missed out on a trip to London during the Olympic trials, but <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/london/track/story/2012-06-24/lolo-jones-secures-spot-on-olympic-track-team/55789564/1" target="_hplink">overcame some early struggles to earn a spot on her second straight Olympic team</a>. Now will be looking for redemption in London after coming so close to winning gold in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. <a href="http://www.salon.com/2008/08/20/jones_4/" target="_hplink">only to trip up late and fail to get a medal</a> in a dramatic finish.

  • Thierry Omeyer

    COUNTRY: France EVENT: Handball AGE: 35 Not only was Thierry Omeyer one of the <a href="http://www.london2012.com/athlete/omeyer-thierry-1107497/" target="_hplink">few goalkeepers to be named International Handball Federations [IHF] World Player of the Year in 2008</a>, but he was also <a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/olympics/2012/07/19/london-olympic-handball-preview/index.html" target="_hplink">voted the best goalkeeper of all time in a 2010 IHF poll</a>. He will try to lead France to a repeat gold medal victory in London.

  • Lin Dan

    COUNTRY: China EVENT: Badminton AGE: 28 HOMETOWN: Longyan, China OLYMPIC EXPERIENCE: 2004 Athens, 2008 Beijing (Gold)

  • Juan Mata

    COUNTRY: Spain EVENT: Men's Soccer AGE: 24

  • Pau Gasol

    COUNTRY: Spain EVENT: Men's Basketball AGE: 32

  • Caroline Wozniacki

    COUNTRY: Denmark EVENT: Women's Tennis AGE: 22

  • Gabrielle Douglas

    COUNTRY: USA EVENT: Women's Gymnastics AGE: 16

  • Deron Williams

    COUNTRY: USA EVENT: Men's Basketball AGE: 28

  • Serge Ibaka

    COUNTRY: Spain EVENT: Men's Basketball AGE: 22

  • Allyson Felix

    COUNTRY: USA EVENT: Track and Field AGE: 26

  • Natalie Coughlin

    COUNTRY: USA EVENT: Women's Swimming AGE: 29

  • Megan Rapinoe

    COUNTRY: USA EVENT: Women's Soccer AGE: 27

  • Ashton Eaton

    COUNTRY: USA EVENT: Decathlon AGE: 24

  • Misty May-Treanor & Kerri Walsh

    COUNTRY: USA EVENT: Beach Volleyball AGE: 34, 33

  • Oscar Pistorius

    COUNTRY: South Africa EVENT: Track and Field AGE: 25

  • Jo-Wilfried Tsonga

    COUNTRY: France EVENT: Men's Tennis AGE: 27

  • Russell Westbrook

    COUNTRY: USA EVENT: Men's Basketball AGE: 23

  • Stephanie Rice

    COUNTRY: Australia EVENT: Women's Swimming AGE: 24

  • Chris Hoy

    COUNTRY: Great Britain EVENT: Cycling AGE: 36

  • Eamon Sullivan

    COUNTRY: Australian EVENT: Men's Swimming AGE: 26

  • Asafa Powell

    COUNTRY: Jamaica EVENT: Track and Field AGE: 29

  • Cullen Jones

    COUNTRY: USA EVENT: Men's Swimming AGE: 28

  • Yohan Blake

    COUNTRY: Jamaica EVENT: Track and Field AGE: 22

  • James Harden

    COUNTRY: USA EVENT: Men's Basketball AGE: 22

  • Anthony Davis

    COUNTRY: USA EVENT: Men's Basketball AGE: 19

  • Novak Djokovic

    COUNTRY: Serbia EVENT: Men's Tennis AGE: 25

  • Jessica Ennis

    COUNTRY: Great Britain EVENT: Track and Field AGE: 26

  • Bradley Wiggins

    COUNTRY: Great Britain EVENT: Cycling AGE: 32

  • Maria Sharapova

    COUNTRY: Russia EVENT: Women's Tennis AGE: 25

  • Maya Moore

    COUNTRY: USA EVENT: Women's Basketball AGE: 23

  • Bryan Clay

    COUNTRY: USA EVENT: Decathlon AGE: 32