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Ahn Se-young, a member of the national badminton team who took second place in the women’s singles at the Badminton World Federation (BWF) World Tour Super 750 Denmark Open and succeeded in regaining first place in the world rankings, is returning to Korea through Incheon International Airport Terminal 1 on the afternoon of the 22nd. Ahn Se-young, who appeared on her way home that day, was seen moving separately from her national team teammates both upon her departure and upon her return. 2024.10.22 News 1 |
It was claimed that players, including Ahn Se-young (22, Samsung Life Insurance), the 2024 Paris Olympics badminton women’s singles gold medalist, were ‘mobilized for free’ several times as advertising models for sponsors. In response to this, the association countered that it could not be considered a free appearance, saying, “We supported the players with donations from sponsors.”
On the 24th, People Power Party lawmaker Jeong Yeon-wook, a member of the National Assembly’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee, said that when the Badminton Association signed a sponsorship contract with Yonex, it appeared to include a condition that ‘players must appear in promotional filming for free for 14 days.’
Rep. Jeong said, “The association virtually forcibly mobilized players, including Ahn Se-young, to advertise for sponsoring companies. “There was no appearance fee or consent form,” he said. “The association signed a sponsorship contract with Yonex and promised free promotional appearances for the players for 14 days.”
Athletes participated individually or in groups in photo shoots, promotional events, and advertisement shoots according to sponsorship contracts. It is known that not only the adult national team but also youth players under the age of 13 were mobilized to promote the sponsor.
Representative Jeong said that in particular, in the case of Ahn Se-young, she was mobilized for three photo shoots during the World Championships and participated in sponsor promotional events after the Japan Open, but did not receive any separate appearance fee.
In addition, 20 athletes who participated in last year’s Hangzhou Asian Games and 11 athletes who participated in this year’s Paris Olympics also appeared in Yonex’s corporate promotional advertisement. It was discovered that there was no modeling fee or appearance fee.
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Ahn Se-young Gold Medal Ceremony 1 – Ahn Se-young is happy after winning against China’s He Bingjiao in the badminton women’s singles final at the 2024 Paris Olympics held at the Porte de la Chapelle Arena in Paris, France on the morning of the 5th (local time). Seyoung Ahn defeated China’s He Bingjiao 2-0 to win the gold medal. Ahn Se-young rose to the top in badminton women’s singles for the first time in 28 years. 2024.8.5 Paris = Reporter Park Ji-hwan |
In response to this, a Badminton Association official explained in a phone call with Chosun.com, “Athletes selected for the national team receive a signature agreeing to the national team management guidelines,” adding, “There are provisions related to appearances in advertisements, etc.” He continued, “The association supports players by receiving donations from sponsors. He emphasized, “The players receive support for overseas travel expenses, training expenses, and various supplies, but it cannot be said that their appearance is free.”
In a written response sent to the office of Representative Jeong of the Badminton Association, it was stated, “We are operating the national team operation guidelines according to our own internal regulations, referring to the Korea Sports Council’s marketing regulations and major competitions.”
However, the Korea Sports Council told Rep. Jeong Yeon-wook’s office, “There is no regulation that requires athletes to appear as models for free at the International Olympic Committee (IOC) or the Korea Sports Council,” and “(appearance in advertisements) is carried out by sponsors after signing individual advertising contracts with athletes.” He said.
Rep. Jeong said, “In fact, athletes such as Ahn Se-young were forcibly mobilized for advertisements, and the national team was mobilized to make money for the association.” He added, “Athletes are not slaves that the association can manipulate for free. “We need to improve our practices,” he pointed out.
Meanwhile, Ahn Se-young is experiencing conflict with the Korea Badminton Association after exposing various irregularities in the organization right after the finals of the Paris Olympics.
Ahn Se-young resolutely criticized the national team’s injury management and training methods, the association’s decision-making system, and hierarchy, saying they hinder players’ ability to maintain and improve their performance. Accordingly, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism conducted a survey of the association and announced improvement measures, such as promoting the abolition of regulations restricting non-national team players from participating in international competitions and recommending the abolition of association regulations stipulating the obedience of national team players.
Reporter Kim Min-ji
– Copyright ⓒ Seoul Newspaper –
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