Ahn Se-young's shoe regulations have been lifted...Association-Yonex, from the Danish Open 'Allow the sneakers you want'

Oct 14, 2024

The first response to the appeals made by Ahn Se-young (22, Samsung Life Insurance) through 'decision speech' came out.

The lifting of restrictions on sports sneakers. The Badminton Korea Association released a press release on the evening of the 15th, saying, "In consultation with the Yonex, we have decided to allow Ahn Se-young's limited and exceptional autonomy only for the competition from the Danish Open, which begins on the 15th, until the negotiations on contract change are completed."

After winning the women's singles gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics in August, Ahn Se-young made a 'decision statement' by pointing out various problems with the association and national team management.

After Ahn Se-young's remarks, the sports community, including badminton, was upended, and while the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism launched an investigation, public opinion on various irrationalities and irrationalities that had been commonly tolerated was infested.

Among them, Ahn Se-young argued that it is unreasonable to force her to wear Yonex-branded sneakers because she is the association's main sponsor, and the need for improvement was also raised in the interim announcement of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's investigation.

Ahn Se-young, a national team member who won a gold medal in badminton singles at the 2024 Paris Olympics, returned home via Incheon International Airport on the 7th. Ahn Se-young, who is interviewing reporters. Incheon International Airport = Reporter Heo Sang-wook wook@sportschosun.com /2024.08.07/

Eventually, the association and Yonex heard 'White Flag'. The association and Yonex are discussing a plan to change the sponsorship contract after An Se-young's problem was raised, and first of all, they decided to lift An's sneaker regulations at the Danish Open. The Danish Open is Ahn's first international competition since the Paris Olympics, and the national team's squad, including Ahn, left the country on the 13th.

The association explained, `This decision is a measure that considers the improvement of Ahn's performance and the development of Korean sports as a top priority, while comprehensively considering the public opinion expressed after the Paris Olympics, various opinions expressed during the National Assembly hearing, and the opinions of various sports officials and Ahn Se-young.'

The association then said "Of course, the national team sponsorship contract should be respected. However, due to the change in circumstances, there is also room for temporary correction, partly limited"The association and Yonex are in careful consultation on a number of issues raised after the Paris Olympics, including the rest of the world, the choice of equipment for all national athletes, while doing their best to develop customized footwear that Ahn can satisfy."

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