"If Intentional, It Is a Criminal Act Beyond Match-Fixing That Harmed Choi Min-jeong"
Skating Federation Separates Shim Seok-hee and Related Players... Forms Investigation Committee to Probe Intentional Collision Allegations
On February 22, 2018, at Gangneung Ice Arena, Shim Suk-hee (No. 3) and Choi Min-jung (No. 6) collided and fell during the women's 1,000m short track final at the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Soyoung] The management team of Choi Minjeong (23, Seongnam City Hall), a member of the South Korean women's short track speed skating national team, has called for a thorough investigation into Shim Seokhee (24, Seoul City Hall), who is suspected of intentional collision during the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics.
On the 12th, All That Sports, Choi Minjeong’s management company, stated, "We have judged the conversation between Shim Seokhee and the national team coach during the Pyeongchang Olympics, recently revealed through media, as well as the actions that occurred during the actual competition, to be serious matters," adding, "We sent an official letter on the 11th to the Korea Skating Union and the Korea Sports Council, which was responsible for managing and operating the national team during the Pyeongchang Olympics."
They continued, "We requested a thorough investigation into the allegations of intentional collision in the women's 1000m short track final at the Pyeongchang Olympics, as well as other suspicions related to Shim Seokhee and the national team coach involved."
Earlier, on the 8th, entertainment media Dispatch reported text messages exchanged between Shim Seokhee and the then national team coach during the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics. According to the released messages, Shim Seokhee mocked her teammates, including Choi Minjeong and Kim Arang, who were on the same team, using vulgar language. The media pointed out that Shim Seokhee’s message saying, "If it doesn’t work out, we have to make a Bradbury" (referring to the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics where the last-place skater won after others fell) suggested the possibility that Shim intentionally interfered with Choi Minjeong in the women's 1000m final.
In response, on the 11th, Shim Seokhee’s side apologized for the controversy over disparaging teammates but denied the allegations of intentional collision. Shim’s representatives stated, "It is a clear fact that I did not intentionally knock down Choi Minjeong, which can be sufficiently proven through expert investigations," and added, "We hope that a thorough investigation will be conducted to clear up misunderstandings among many people."
On the other hand, Choi Minjeong’s side said, "From February 11 to 16, 2018, Shim Seokhee continuously exchanged messages about 'making a female Bradbury' related to Choi Minjeong. In the final, Shim Seokhee actually collided with Choi Minjeong, resulting in Choi finishing in 4th place," emphasizing, "Shim Seokhee, who was disqualified, had a conversation with the coach on the night of the competition saying, 'Still, it must feel relieving. You were the best.' This content is decisive evidence suggesting that the collision was intentional, not accidental."
Gu Donghoe, CEO of All That Sports, said, "Choi Minjeong lost a highly probable gold medal due to the collision with a teammate and suffered severe injuries, including a torn knee ligament," adding, "If Shim Seokhee and the coach intentionally knocked down Choi Minjeong to create a 'Bradbury,' this can be seen as a criminal act that goes beyond match-fixing and harms Choi Minjeong. The Korea Sports Council and the Skating Union must conduct a thorough fact-finding and detailed investigation."
Shim Seokhee and Choi Minjeong were selected as national representatives at the selection trials held last May and were scheduled to compete in the Beijing Olympics next February. Choi Minjeong’s side expressed concern, saying, "Choi Minjeong’s trust in Shim Seokhee has completely collapsed, and having to train and compete together is causing stress and burden. This could lead to a decline in performance, which is a serious concern," and added, "In fact, Choi Minjeong is mentally unstable due to the shock from this incident and fears that a similar situation might recur."
Meanwhile, the Skating Union has separated Shim Seokhee from related athletes and formed an investigative committee to conduct a fact-finding investigation into the intentional collision allegations.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
