Korean badminton superstar An Se Young had seemed destined to win the gold medal at Paris 2024 for the past couple of years. So much so that no one would have batted an eyelid when she fulfilled her dream of winning the title at Porte de La Chapelle Arena. But what came after her triumph, has stunned the badminton world.
While most media interactions after a triumph tend to be celebratory, the 22-year-old decided she’d use the occasion to highlight some serious issues with the way badminton was being run in Korea. The problems she pointed out included the way her long-standing knee injury was mismanaged, unilateral decision-making by the federation and younger players being asked to restring rackets and do the laundry for seniors.
What did An say after her gold?
“It was very difficult to overcome the pain,” An had told BWF in the immediate aftermath of her triumph. “There was a misdiagnosis, and at the end of last year we found it was very bad but we didn’t have time for surgery, so we had to push through and my trainer helped me and that’s why I was able to come here.”
An made a shocking comment about possibly moving away from the sport, but it seems that stance has since cooled down. On her Instagram account that has now been locked for privacy, she wrote she didn’t want people to misinterpret her comments for retirement. “I am not trying to fight people. This is about protecting players.”
In a subsequent post, she also apologised for taking the attention away from her fellow Olympians. “My comments have washed away their moments to be celebrated and honored like a tsunami. I’d like to convey my sincerest apology to those athletes,” she had said.
What are the issues she has highlighted?
Her biggest gripe was that the national team took her serious injury in 2023 lightly. She credited her personal trainer for making sure her Paris dream didn’t derail because of that. An, incidentally, withdrew from the India Open in New Delhi earlier in the year citing her injury despite making an initial appearance.
Korea’s An Se Young reacts after winning the women’s final match against China’s Chen Yu Fei in the All England Open Badminton Championships at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham, England, Sunday, March 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira)
She told Korean news agency Yonhap that she made the remarks against the federation because she had the stage where she’d be heard now. “My anger has been the fuel that has helped me realize my dream,” An said. “I wanted to have my voice heard. In a way, that has been my dream.”
She reportedly filed complaints to the federation regarding the treatment she has been receiving. According to a report by broadcaster SBS An’s parents had met with the federation’s officials in February, asking for improvement in living conditions in the national team’s athletes’ village. Maeil Business reported that An was miffed with being asked to do chores after training, which included ‘changing her seniors’ broken racket strings, cleaning rooms and laundry.’
Her recent comments haven’t mentioned these aspects, but An has said, “What I ultimately want to express is my hope for more flexibility in changing unreasonable but customary practices.”
What’s been happening since?
With the comments dominating the news cycle in Korea after Paris 2024, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism launched an investigation into the functioning of the Badminton Korea Association (BKA).
The matter was deemed serious enough for South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol to remark at a gathering of Olympians from the country (where An was reportedly present too). According to Korea Herald, “Yoon told participants he would work to ditch outdated customs to ensure a fair chance for any athlete in any sport to compete free of constraints, and to encourage young athletes to obtain training in a more advanced environment.”
In the interim findings from the probe, there have been allegations of misuse of funds against BKA President Kim Taek-gyu which have been refuted. There have been reports of improper financial deals with an equipment sponsor.
Is it just badminton?
There seems to be a period of turmoil in another Korean sport too, with the football federation under the scanner for the appointment of Hong Myung-bo as the head coach. Earlier this year, Jurgen Klinsmann was removed from the role but the process of appointing Hong has become a controversy. Fans reportedly jeered him after a 0-0 draw with Palestine at the World Cup qualifiers.
The discussions around the badminton and football federations have brought to the forefront what lawmakers have described as being stuck in old ways and not having athletes’ welfare as the focus. According to The Korea Herald, Minister of culture, sports and tourism Yu In-chon said, “You have to put sports and athletes first, but there are still some outdated practices in place. I think sports have become political.” Inquiries into both the federations are expected to be wrapped up in the coming days.
