An Se-young, the 22-year-old badminton star who recently secured a gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics, shocked fans when she announced her intention to leave the South Korean national team. Despite her success, An revealed deep-seated frustrations with the team and the Badminton Association, stemming from years of unfair treatment.
An joined the national team at just 15, becoming the youngest player in South Korean history to do so. However, this achievement came with a heavy price. As the youngest member, An was burdened with tasks such as cleaning, laundry, and other chores for her senior teammates—a routine that lasted for seven years and greatly affected her rest and training schedule.
Despite her family’s efforts to improve her situation by requesting that she return to her club team for better care, their appeals were ignored. This lack of support culminated in An’s decision to speak out after her Olympic win, publicly criticizing the national team and withdrawing from upcoming international competitions.
The backlash from her statements was swift, with South Korean netizens attacking her on social media. An later issued an apology, expressing her regret for the controversy and for overshadowing the achievements of other athletes.
An Se-young’s journey from Olympic champion to disillusioned team member underscores the difficulties faced by athletes, particularly those who enter the spotlight at a young age.
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