'Badminton Emperor' An Se-young's Resolute Statement... Sports Council Forms Investigation Committee [Paris Olympics]

In the women's singles badminton event at the 2024 Paris Olympics, An Se-young (Samsung Life), who won the gold medal, made a series of pointed remarks toward the Badminton Korea Association, prompting the Korea Sports Council to announce on the 7th that it will form an investigative committee to look into the matter.

The Sports Council will form the investigative committee after the Olympics closing ceremony, consisting of four external audit experts including an auditor from the Board of Audit and Inspection, a Sports Council integrity citizen auditor with a background as a police investigator, an auditor from the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, and a member of the Women’s Committee, along with the head of the Sports Council’s legal team (a lawyer) and the head of the audit office.

This committee will be a separate organization from the Badminton Korea Association’s fact-finding committee and will investigate both An Se-young and the Badminton Korea Association together.

The Sports Council stated that since An Se-young’s pointed remarks covered comprehensive issues such as injury management, training systems, and athlete protection, the investigative committee will conduct interviews to identify specific problems. If any issues are found, the investigation will be escalated to an audit, thoroughly reviewing all matters related to An Se-young, including the Badminton Korea Association and the national team training center. Furthermore, if there are personnel issues, appropriate measures will be taken, and if there are problems with systems or regulations, amendments will be made accordingly.

Earlier, at a press conference held immediately after the final match, An Se-young made critical remarks about the Badminton Korea Association’s management of athlete injuries, athlete development and training methods, the association’s decision-making system, and participation in competitions, causing a stir. Returning to Korea through Incheon International Airport on the 7th, An Se-young said, "I did not intend to fight with the association. I spoke with the hope of appealing to be able to focus solely on my sport, and I ask that this be understood in that way," adding, "I will provide more details after consultation."

[Image source=Yonhap News]