A picture of a blister on the sole of the foot appeared… Ahn Se-young, wear the shoes you want

Association “Allow limited, temporary, and exceptional autonomy”
“Measures that comprehensively considered various opinions”
Photos of blisters on the soles of feet caused by shoes were revealed

Badminton player Ahn Se-young (22, Samsung Life Insurance) will no longer be able to wear shoes from the national team sponsor, which she complained of discomfort, for the time being.

The Korea Badminton Association said in a press release on the 14th, “We have decided to allow temporary, limited, and exceptional autonomy for Ahn Se-young’s competition shoes until negotiations on contract changes with Yonex are completed.” He then explained, “It is a measure that comprehensively takes into consideration public opinion expressed after the Paris Olympics, various opinions expressed in inquiries on pending issues at the National Assembly, and opinions of sports officials and athlete Ahn Se-young.” The association added, “We are doing our best to develop customized game shoes that will satisfy Ahn Se-young, and at the same time, we are carefully discussing with Yonex on issues such as the selection of equipment for all national team players.”

Previously, on the 24th of last month, Chairman Kim Taek-gyu appeared as a witness at the National Assembly Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee’s inquiry on pending issues and promised, “It is not that I personally want to change (the regulations), but I will change them.” The current Badminton Association regulations state that ‘when participating in training and competitions as a national representative, the competition uniform and competition equipment designated by the association must be used.’ Among the Olympic sports, badminton and boxing are the only Olympic sports that require the use of sponsor products, including items directly related to performance, such as rackets and shoes.

Ahn Se-young’s photo of blisters on the soles of her feet. [출처=민형배 의원실]

On this day, Min Hyeong-bae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, posted a photo of Ahn Se-young’s sole blisters and asked, “Ahn himself says (the sole inflammation) is due to his shoes, but unlike other countries, why does the domestic association not make an exception?” Chairman Kim responded to the sponsor and The reason was the contract and its accompanying regulations. Rep. Min then said, “Is that what the president of the association should say? Then why are you president of the association?” and criticized, “If a national team player complains of discomfort because his shoes do not fit, shouldn’t we think about releasing him?” Kim Hak-kyun, the badminton team coach who was also in attendance, said, “Shoe problems often arise during training or competitions,” and added, “I can’t be involved because of the sponsor relationship.” In response, Rep. Min urged Chairman Kim to resign, saying, “I don’t understand the pitiful behavior of adults who said they had no choice but to do that because of the regulations.”

Afterwards, Ahn Se-young attended the preliminary round of the badminton women’s team competition at the 105th National Sports Festival held in Miryang, Gyeongsangnam-do on the 9th. In an interview after the game, he shed tears, saying, “I would like to say thank you very much to the fans who loved my badminton so much, and I am happy to be able to return. I will show my good side often in the future.”

Intern reporter Jeong Ye-won [email protected]