https://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=110&oid=023&aid=0003415269
Sorry if this belongs in the Korean skating news thread, but I wanted to draw atttention to this op-ed, essentially titled "Skating Union's Neglect- Korean figure [skating] where only the athlete works". (Someone who has a fuller vocabulary, please improve my translation, lol). The reporter describes his observations while covering the GPF in Vancouver. He talks about how Uno playing basketball with his trainer caught his eye, and a Japanese journalist explained how the federation provided a trainer to the competitions, who is responsible for a variety of things. He continued that all Junhwan and Yelim had were just one coach each, and only plane ticket and boarding paid for. They had injuries but just used ice packs and rested by themselves after practice.
The reporter continues to write that no one came to the competition/visited the venue from the KSU, nor had anyone at the team leader(?) meeting that was held before the start of the competition. He also mentions a sort of VIP lounge throughout the competition where officials from different federations, the ISU, sponsors, etc. interact, and quoted a Korean figure skating insider that "they(KSU) kicked away a good opportunity for 'sports diplomacy'".
Now I don't expect the KSU to be as on top of things nor have as many resources as major figure skating countries do to provide their athletes with- I know Korea really doesn't have a history in the sport and they're still new. But little to nothing has improved since Yuna Kim's competing days with the fed's management. They make the skaters compete in a domestic ranking competition separate from nationals to determine national team status and 4CC spots, regardless of whether they already have GP assignments or not. There's been judging scandals and generally poorly organized events domestically all the time. The numerous scandals even in short track, which Korea has a history of success with, is just more proof of their incompetence. (see: Viktor An case, the verbal/physical abuse from coaches to the athletes, and senior athletes towards their juniors)
It's a miracle that Korean skating came this far, and Yuna is just amazing for attracting the kids and sponsors to figure skating domestically. And of course, the young Korean skaters right now that are having success. No thanks to the federation.
Sorry if this belongs in the Korean skating news thread, but I wanted to draw atttention to this op-ed, essentially titled "Skating Union's Neglect- Korean figure [skating] where only the athlete works". (Someone who has a fuller vocabulary, please improve my translation, lol). The reporter describes his observations while covering the GPF in Vancouver. He talks about how Uno playing basketball with his trainer caught his eye, and a Japanese journalist explained how the federation provided a trainer to the competitions, who is responsible for a variety of things. He continued that all Junhwan and Yelim had were just one coach each, and only plane ticket and boarding paid for. They had injuries but just used ice packs and rested by themselves after practice.
The reporter continues to write that no one came to the competition/visited the venue from the KSU, nor had anyone at the team leader(?) meeting that was held before the start of the competition. He also mentions a sort of VIP lounge throughout the competition where officials from different federations, the ISU, sponsors, etc. interact, and quoted a Korean figure skating insider that "they(KSU) kicked away a good opportunity for 'sports diplomacy'".
Now I don't expect the KSU to be as on top of things nor have as many resources as major figure skating countries do to provide their athletes with- I know Korea really doesn't have a history in the sport and they're still new. But little to nothing has improved since Yuna Kim's competing days with the fed's management. They make the skaters compete in a domestic ranking competition separate from nationals to determine national team status and 4CC spots, regardless of whether they already have GP assignments or not. There's been judging scandals and generally poorly organized events domestically all the time. The numerous scandals even in short track, which Korea has a history of success with, is just more proof of their incompetence. (see: Viktor An case, the verbal/physical abuse from coaches to the athletes, and senior athletes towards their juniors)
It's a miracle that Korean skating came this far, and Yuna is just amazing for attracting the kids and sponsors to figure skating domestically. And of course, the young Korean skaters right now that are having success. No thanks to the federation.
