[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] Wang Meng (38), a former Chinese short track speed skater who served as a commentator for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics short track events, sparked controversy by mocking a Korean skater who fell during a race. However, when China's Ren Ziwei received a penalty, Wang showed a double standard by calling it a "harsh judgment."
On the 5th, during the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics short track mixed relay 2000m event held at the Beijing Capital Indoor Stadium, Korean short track representative Park Jang-hyeok fell after his skate blade caught the ice while turning a corner. Wang Meng applauded and reacted by saying, "Good for him."
After the race, while watching the replay, he made remarks such as "He fell by himself," "Good for him," and "No sympathy," and further added, "Who is he going to blame now?" making inappropriate comments.
Wang Meng's inappropriate commentary continued even at the moment when there were criticisms that the Chinese gold medalists did not make a 'touch.' He made one-sided supportive remarks such as "My eyes are as precise as a ruler," "No need to watch the replay," and "China won."
However, on the 9th, when Ren Ziwei was disqualified and eliminated in the men's short track 1500m semifinals, Wang said, "Ren Ziwei was disqualified. It was because he blocked with his arm. It's a harsh judgment. Everyone saw it, but the ruling was really strict."
Meanwhile, Wang Meng has been involved in 'unsportsmanlike' controversies since his athlete days. Although he won three gold medals at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, he made inappropriate remarks on a Chinese variety show, abruptly suggesting that Korean short track skater Park Seung-hee appeared to have had plastic surgery.
Additionally, in 2011, he was involved in a coach assault incident, resulting in his expulsion from the national team and missing international competitions.
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