The Korea Badminton Association held an awards ceremony to encourage medalists at the 2024 Paris Olympics. However, ‘gold medalist’ Ahn Se-young (Samsung Life Insurance) was not there.
The association held the 2024 Paris Olympics award ceremony at the Arina Hotel in Miryang, Gyeongsangnam-do on the 30th of last month.
Previously, the Korean badminton team won one gold medal in women’s singles and a silver medal in mixed doubles at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Ahn Se-young, who won the singles title, received 100 million won in prize money, and mixed doubles Kim Won-ho (Samsung Life Insurance) and Jeong Na-eun (Hwasun County Office) each received 50 million won.
However, Ahn Se-young did not attend the event due to personal schedule. It is known that Kim Won-ho was also absent due to military training schedule.
Meanwhile, President of the Korea Badminton Association Kim Taek-gyu, who presented the award that day, said, “I hope badminton will always be a sport loved by everyone,” and added, “The association will not spare any support to help players demonstrate their best skills.” He is reported to have said, “We will support your dreams and passion and grow together.” It is reported that there was no mention of Ahn Se-young, who did not attend the event.
Ahn Se-young previously expressed his convictions about the association’s injury management, training method, and decision-making system.
Also, according to Yonhap News, coach Kim Hak-gyun, who attended the event, is known to have said, “At the moment, we have to wait for many things, including the overall atmosphere, regarding Ahn Se-young.”
He continued, “This is something that requires time, and we will approach (the player) and Ahn Se-young will also be waiting (now). “I think we should try to do the same in a situation where we seem to be a little more proactive,” he said sparingly.
Director Kim Hak-gyun said, “The schedule has been tight for the past two years. Since the selection competition was held every year, there were no problems. The Performance Improvement Committee and association officials are making many changes. I’m trying to conduct the selection process in the best way possible. “I think there are still parts that need to be strengthened and corrected.”
Reporter Kim Woo-jung
