An Se-young Breaks Silence: "I Hope Unreasonable but Conventional Things Change"

Posted on SNS 11 Days After Resolute Statement
"Seeking Honest Dialogue, Not a Battle with the Association"

Badminton player An Se-young (22, Samsung Life), who won the gold medal at the Paris Olympics and directly criticized the Badminton Korea Association and the national team, broke her silence after 11 days by making an official statement.

On the 16th, An Se-young posted on her Instagram, saying, "What I ultimately want to talk about is the hope that the unreasonable but customary practices will become a bit more flexible." She continued, "Especially regarding injuries, it is truly painful and difficult for all athletes, so I also hoped for conditions and support that would allow me to recover well from injuries," adding, "Since each athlete's situation and the specifics of their injuries are different, I wanted flexible and efficient support tailored to those circumstances."

An Se-young expressed her feelings, saying, "(However) the reality I faced was far from that, which left me greatly disappointed and saddened," and added, "Rather than avoiding the issue with words like 'You are not the only one,' or 'You are receiving special treatment,' I deeply regret that there was no one who listened to my story with words like 'Let's try it once,' or 'If that doesn't work, let's think of another way together.'"

She emphasized, "I do not think badminton is an unpopular sport, but if it changes for the better, it can become a sport enjoyed by more people and attract many talented individuals," and added, "In a healthy environment, athletes can achieve better results and receive warm support from the public. All of this will be the association's achievement."

An Se-young also expressed her willingness to resolve the issues through dialogue rather than a confrontation with the Badminton Korea Association. She said, "I secretly hope for a sincere conversation about what I have experienced, rather than a confrontation to determine right or wrong with the association, and I hope to have such an opportunity soon."

She continued, "From now on, since the association officials hold the key to change, I hope they will no longer ignore the situation and act proactively," and urged, "Please continue to pay attention so that athletes can focus solely on their training and fully demonstrate their skills under a reasonable system."

She also conveyed her wish to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee, which have launched an investigation, saying, "I hope you will listen carefully to the voices of the athletes and ensure smooth communication between the association and the athletes."

An Se-young, who won the gold medal in women's singles badminton at the 2024 Paris Olympics, is answering questions from the press as she returns home through Incheon International Airport on the afternoon of the 7th.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

An Se-young apologized for the controversy caused by her candid remarks. She said, "During an interview after winning the Olympic gold, when asked about injuries, the seven years I spent on the national team flashed through my mind, and I ended up saying what I had kept in my heart," adding, "The impact of those words caused harm to athletes who should have been receiving congratulations and encouragement during the Olympics." She reflected, "I have been focused solely on training and exercising, but I have learned that I still have a long way to go in navigating life wisely. Once again, I apologize to all the athletes and officials of the South Korean Olympic team and to the public who were concerned."

Earlier, on the 5th, after winning the women's singles gold medal at the Paris Olympics, An Se-young publicly criticized the Badminton Korea Association. She stated, "My injury was more serious than expected, and I was greatly disappointed by the national team’s complacency," and added, "At this moment, I even thought it might be difficult to continue with the national team." She also claimed that she had been responsible for the national team’s laundry and cleaning for the past seven years.