Skating Federation Suspended for 3 Years in Severe Disciplinary Action
Other Players Also Suspended for 1 Year Over Illegal Filming Charges
A leading female figure skating singles athlete, whose national team qualification was temporarily suspended due to drinking during an overseas training camp, was later found to have sexually harassed a male junior teammate and received a severe disciplinary action.
The Korea Skating Union held a Sports Fairness Committee meeting on the 20th and imposed a three-year suspension on female singles national team athlete A for sexually harassing a minor male junior, according to a report by Yonhap News on the 21st. Another female athlete B was given a one-year suspension for illegally filming acts that caused sexual discomfort.
During the national figure skating training camp held in Varese, Italy, from the 15th to the 28th of last month, athletes A and B were found to have consumed alcohol multiple times in their accommodations, which led to their referral to the Union’s Sports Fairness Committee. During the investigation, the Union uncovered that, in addition to drinking, sexual misconduct had occurred.
A called a male junior athlete C to her accommodation and engaged in behavior that caused sexual discomfort, while B reportedly took photos that induced sexual discomfort without consent and showed them to C.
The Union imposed severe disciplinary measures on A and B for drinking and sexual harassment, while C was reprimanded for violating the intensified training regulations by visiting the accommodation of an athlete of the opposite sex. Additionally, coach D received a three-month suspension for negligence in managing the team.
The athletes have the right to appeal to the higher organization, the Korea Sports Council’s Sports Fairness Committee, within seven days of receiving the official disciplinary notice. The Union plans to deliver the disciplinary decision documents to the athletes early next week and, considering the seriousness of A and B’s actions, will also report the case to the Sports Ethics Center.
Both Athletes Say "Discipline Is Excessive... Plan to Appeal"
If the three-year suspension is finalized, athlete A will be barred from participating in the first Grand Prix series event this October as well as the 2026 Milan-Cortina d'Ampezzo Winter Olympics.
Regarding the disciplinary action, athlete A’s side stated, "It is difficult to accept," and added, "We plan to file an appeal with the Korea Sports Council as soon as we receive the disciplinary decision." Athlete B is also reported to be planning to appeal to the Korea Sports Council.
Meanwhile, the Korea Skating Union plans to hold a meeting with figure skating athletes’ parents next week to gather opinions and conduct a comprehensive review of the athlete education program in relation to the sexual harassment allegations involving figure skaters.
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