It is not enough time to enjoy the joy of the Olympic gold medal, but only the athletes are hurting amid constant controversy. Ahn Se-young (aged 22, Samsung Life Insurance) heralded further revelations on her way home.
Ahn Se-young, the gold medalist in women’s singles at the 2024 Paris Olympics, departed from Paris through the Charles de Gaulle Airport on Sunday (local time). The Korean national badminton team, including Ahn, is scheduled to arrive at Incheon International Airport at 3:55 p.m. on Sunday (Korea time).
According to News 1, Ahn entered the departure hall with a bright face. “It’s because the Badminton Korea Association (KBA) told me to stand by. The association said, “Don’t say anything and wait. I didn’t know how to respond.” The KOC explained that it was Ahn’s intention to skip the press conference, but what Ahn said was different.
Ahn declined to comment at the departure hall. “I will discuss my position in Korea. Please wait a little longer. I need to discuss the details with the (law) team,” he said.
Since winning the gold medal at the Paris Olympics, Ahn has not been able to contact her parents. Only after completing the departure process can she see each other’s faces. According to News 1, the Badminton Association and the national team made no announcement to reporters on the day. Kim Hak-kyun, the coach of the national team, left the airport after saying, “I have nothing to say.”
Heads of the Badminton Association (BA) including Kim Taek-kyu moved to Korea earlier than expected. At first, Chairman Kim and other high-ranking officials were reportedly scheduled to leave the country along with the national team players. 토토사이트
In the meantime, only Kim Won-ho (Samsung Life Insurance) and Jeong Na-eun (Hwasun County Office) attended the press conference for medalists hosted by the Korea Sports Association. “I am sorry that the athletes who should be congratulated were not congratulated. I didn’t mean to do that,” Ahn said.
Ahn made history in Korean badminton at the Paris Olympics. It was the first gold medal in Korean badminton in 28 years since the women’s singles in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. World No. 1 Ahn beat No. 9 He Bing Zhao of China with a game score of 2-0 (21-13, 21-16) at the Port de Rachapelle Stadium in Paris, France on Saturday.
Ahn Se-young, who met reporters after winning the championship, left a comment with determination. “Teacher Su-jeong (Han Soo-jeong) was very wary of me for my dream. I am sorry that I made you keep going through difficult moments,” he said. “I wonder if it will be difficult to go with the national team after this moment.”
It was an exposure of the association’s way of managing the national team. He also pointed out her coercive attitude toward athletes. “I was really disappointed in the association at a time when I was undergoing an injury,” Ahn said. “I was so disappointed in the association. From the moment I made a mistake, I endured the injury and kept running. Thanks to my trainer, I made it this far,” Ahn said. “It is cruel to say that I cannot participate in the Olympics just because I am leaving the national team. A player’s qualification should not be disqualified. Although singles and doubles are very different, the association seems to neglect the sport under the name of freedom. The fact that only one gold medal has been awarded at this year’s event is time for the association to look back on it.”
