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An Se-young, the winner of the Paris Olympics badminton women’s singles gold, takes questions from reporters after arriving home in Korea via Incheon International Airport on Aug. 7, 2024. (Baek So-ah/Hankyoreh)

After winning gold in the women’s single event at the Paris Olympics, South Korean badminton player An Se-young made headlines by voicing disappointment about improper athlete management, dated training methods, and questionable decision-making apparatus within the Badminton Korea Association (BKA).

Upon returning home, An, 22, clarified that she “didn’t mean to start a fight” and that her comments came from frustration over not being able to focus on her training. 

Upon arriving at Incheon International Airport on Wednesday, An addressed the controversy caused by her comments to reporters awaiting her arrival at the airport. 

“I really didn’t mean to start a fight. My comments came from a place of just wanting to focus on my training,” the athlete said. 

“I just arrived. I haven’t spoken with the BKA. I haven’t even spoken with my team,” she added. 

Fresh off winning gold at the Paris Olympics, An Se-young arrives in Korea at Incheon International Airport on Aug. 7, 2024. (Baek So-ah/Hankyoreh)

“I will refrain from saying any more until I discuss things with them,” she said, quickly getting on a bus provided by the Samsung Life Insurance badminton club waiting to take her home. 

After defeating China’s He Bingjiao in the women’s single event in Paris on Monday, An told reporters that the BKA had neglected her injuries. She also questioned the association’s training methodologies, decision-making processes and athlete selection. Her comments stirred up a storm on the homefront. 

“When I tore a ligament in my right knee at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, last year, the injury was misdiagnosed. The BKA did not provide me with proper treatment or injury management,” An told reporters in Paris. 

“Ahead of the Paris Olympics, the BKA chose not to renew a contract with the trainer that helped me rehab and psychological recovery after the injury, and even tried to force me to compete in doubles events, although I am a singles player,” An added. 

Kim Taek-gyu, the chair of the BKA, who arrived at Incheon before An and the national team, told reporters, “There were no conflicts between me and the athletes or between the BKA and the athletes.” 

“I will look into the facts behind An’s misdiagnosis and distribute them in a press release,” he added. 

On Tuesday, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism issued a statement saying, “We will look into the facts as soon as the Olympics are over and review any measures for improvement or reform.”

“We will also see if similar problems are present in other sports,” the ministry added. 

By Chung In-seon, staff reporter

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