"Just wait without saying anything at the association"
Ahn Se-young is talking with reporters as she departs through Charles de Gaulle Airport in France on the 6th (local time). [Photo by Yonhap News]
After winning the gold medal in the women's singles badminton event at the 2024 Paris Olympics, An Se-young, who criticized the Badminton Korea Association, has now revealed the reason for her absence from the press conference.
On the 6th (local time) at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, France, when asked by reporters if she had any separate discussions with the Badminton Association, An Se-young replied, "They just told me to wait, so I don't think there's anything I can do about not attending the press conference."
When asked, "The Korean Sport & Olympic Committee said you didn't attend based on your own will; was it not your intention to skip it?" she said, "They told me to wait and not to say anything, but I don't know what to do either." She then added, "I will explain when I get back to Korea," and left the scene.
After winning the gold medal in the women's singles event the previous day, An Se-young publicly criticized the Badminton Korea Association, causing a stir.
After the match, she made a bombshell statement, saying, "My injury was more serious than expected, and I was very disappointed with the national team for being too complacent," and "After this moment, I also thought it might be difficult to continue with the national team."
An Se-young's revelations have sparked significant controversy. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the highest authority in Korean sports, and even President Yoon Suk-yeol have been briefed on the matter.
Previously, the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee held a press conference with badminton medalists, but only Kim Won-ho (Samsung Life) and Jung Na-eun (Hwasun County Office), who won silver in the mixed doubles final, attended. The committee stated that An Se-young's absence was "based on her own will."
However, An Se-young denied this, and another wave of controversy is expected.
An Se-young, who boarded the flight back to Korea, is scheduled to arrive at Incheon International Airport on the afternoon of the 7th, Korean time.
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