Disclosure of Flight Ticket Usage History from 2021 to Present
The Badminton Korea Association is facing public criticism. An Se-young (22, Samsung Life), who won the gold medal in women's singles badminton at the Paris Olympics, announced that she is "disappointed with the association's negligence in managing athletes and will leave the national team."
Adding to this, controversy arose over past executives of the Badminton Korea Association flying business class while players flew economy class to international competitions. The association clarified in a press release on the 9th that this was not the responsibility of the current administration.
Kim Taek-gyu, President of the Korea Badminton Association, is answering reporters' questions after returning to Incheon Airport on the 7th. [Photo by Yonhap News]
Previously, some media reported that in July 2018, for the World Championships held in China, coaches and players flew economy class while all executives used business class, sparking controversy. This was a broadcast report from November 2018, but it resurfaced recently alongside An Se-young's explosive remarks.
According to the budget documents prepared by the association at the time, five executives used business class for a tournament held in Australia in May 2017, costing over 16 million won.
However, the association explained that this was "an issue from a past administration." The association stated, "In 2018, during the previous administration, some executives used business class when dispatched to international competitions, and it is true that all vice president-level and above executives used business class during the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games, which drew media criticism."
They added, "Since the current administration began in 2021 and up to the 2024 Paris Olympics, association executives have mostly used economy class for overseas trips."
Furthermore, they disclosed which aircraft seats the national team players, coaching staff, and association executives used during the Paris Olympics trip, as well as who bore the related costs.
An Se-young, who won the gold medal in women's singles badminton at the 2024 Paris Olympics, is speaking to the press after returning home through Incheon International Airport on the afternoon of the 7th. August 7, 2024. Photo by Joint Coverage
According to this, the coaching staff and players were supported with economy class tickets by the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee, while trainers and association executives purchased economy class tickets at the association's expense. Some coaches and players used personal mileage or received support from their affiliated teams to fly in prestige class.
Earlier, on the 7th, the Badminton Korea Association also explained its position on issues such as neglect of injuries, the re-contracting of An Se-young’s dedicated trainer, and participation in international competitions as an individual through a 10-page A4 press release.
Meanwhile, An Se-young posted on her social media the day before, saying, "I am most sorry to the athletes who are performing on the Olympic stage after countless efforts," and added, "I will share my thoughts and position after the Olympic games have ended and all athletes have been sufficiently congratulated."
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