Jincheon is a national athlete's village, not an Olympic athlete's village Olympic champion Yoo Seung-min's affection for the leader of the unpopular event X

Feb 20, 2025

A meeting of national leaders. Photo courtesy = Korea Sports Council

"Jincheon Training Center is a national team training center, not an Olympic or Asian Games training center."

Yoo Seung Min, the president-elect of the Korean Sports Council, expressed his special interest and willingness to support underprivileged sports in the Jincheon National Training Center. President-elect Yoo visited the national athletes' village 'Friendship' as his first official move immediately after the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's approval on the 14th and held a meeting with national leaders.

Following the welcoming speech by Kang Ho-seok, chairman of the National Council of Leaders, a full-fledged meeting began after the leaders delivered Taegeukgi to Yoo Seung Min's president-elect. Yoo showed generous affection for his senior and junior leaders, who are overwhelming and absolute support base. "I have communicated with leaders better than anyone else throughout the election. When I was a player, I always had a great leader, and when I was a coach, there was always a great coach." "I know you have high expectations for me. We know the magnitude of expectations."As the times and environment change rapidly, the leaders have a lot of hard work. The reason I challenged the president of the Korean Sports Council is not because I wanted to enjoy something for four years. I want to create an environment where you here excitedly coach the players and create an environment where the players and leaders respect each other. I will be the chairman who does not stop at listening here today. If you feel the change, that's why I challenged the chairman of the sports committee. "A new system was established in the athletes' village 'athlete and leader support'Dream Tree Fostering Department' Changes that players and leaders can feel should come from the name. When he officially takes office on the 28th, he promises to speed up matters related to players and leaders." "I can't be full with the first drink, but if you look at it from a long-term perspective and support me, I'll live up to your expectations."There was an outpouring of applause at the pledge that "

The meeting was attended by leaders in the village, including squash, triathlon, cycling, archery, athletics, boxing, fencing, judo, hockey, modern pentathlon, shooting, weightlifting, wrestling, karate, jiu-jitsu and beach volleyball, as well as leaders in field training, reflecting interest and expectations. There was a flood of 'civil complaints' from various events.

Provided by Lee Yoo Seung Min, president-elect of the Korea Sports Council, Kang Ho-seok, president of the National Team Leadership Council, and Ahn Han-bong, coach of the wrestling team.=KOC

In the modern pentathlon, which proved its global competitiveness at the Tokyo Olympics and Paris Olympics, requests were made to install indoor training facilities. The five modern types first entered Jincheon in December last year as horseback riding was replaced by an obstacle sport after a long period of out-of-town training in the Armed Forces Sports Unit. Satisfaction with good facilities and medical facilities is very high, but the obstacle training site is outdoors, so I couldn't train properly due to the cold. I had to give up my first World Cup tournament at the end of February," he said, explaining his sad story. "I'm planning to participate in the April competition, and I hope that not only our events but also various events can use the indoor space efficiently to share.", he suggested. Yoo was the first to know the changes in the modern pentathlon because I worked as an Olympic program member at the IOC. I expected the difficulties of the players, but I came here today to find out about the situation." "If you can afford to communicate with the athletes' village management department and the planning department, of course you should do it," he said. "Modern pentathlon is an Olympic and Asian Games event, and it is becoming a world class, but it is shameful to give up international competitions. I'll give you feedback quickly," he added.

In some events, opinions were made on guaranteeing the term of the leader's contract and stipulating it. "The stipulation of the leader's contract is regarded as a recommendation of the sports association, but it is necessary to guarantee a minimum period of time. It differs from one association to another. Some are two years old, and some are four years old. I want the Korea Sports Council to have a certain standard for the contract period"I suggested. In response, Yoo cited the requirement for stipulating the guarantee of the term of the leader's contract. The term of office varies depending on the association, and the concurrent and full-time positions vary. Leaders are asking for a four-year guarantee of the contract period, and they need to look at the situation of each association. There must be a leader evaluation part, but it would be nice to think about it flexibly in a 2+2 year styleWe will discuss with the Ministry of Sports and Development to first understand the contract period, conditions, and form. I will visit you again with a convincing plan."

One leader expressed his opinion on revitalizing the unemployment team. "Each local government operates an unemployment team, which has been dismantled a lot recently. I hope you can help me with how to support the unemployment team with the National Sports Promotion FundLet's say " The operation of the workplace sports department of the local government should be enacted by law. I go to the National Assembly a lot. I think we should make an unemployment team protection law. He frequently visits the chairman of the Korea Sports Promotion Foundation, Ha Hyung-joo, a gold medalist in judo. I will discuss with sportsmen Lim Oh-kyung, senior Jin Jong-oh, vice minister of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism Jang Mi-ran and chairman Ha Hyung-joo to the National Assembly.

One trainer then raised his hand and expressed his difficulties in contracting. "Coach and coach sign a two- to four-year contract, but trainers make an announcement every year and renew the contract is a big burden," he said. President-elect Yoo said, `I will ask the relevant agencies for parts that require persuasion with the voices of the field. I'll tell you again after I figure out the exact details." Ahn Han-bong, head coach of the wrestling team, and Hwang Hee-tae, head coach of the men's judo team, asked for more partners in weight class and relativity events. Director Ahn said, `Partners are really important in speculative stocks. During the Taereung period, players from around Seoul came to joint training and their performance improved, but now they have no partners, so they have to continue with the same person. It's serious. In addition, wrestling is in the 10th weight class, but the Olympic weight class is in the 6th weight class. The fourth-weight class can't get into town. I want you to be recognized as a member of the same national team." Coach Hwang also said, `When I was in Taereung, there were many teams coming in, including Seoul National Sport University. After coming to Jincheon, it is difficult for partner teams to come. Please find a way to increase the number of partners by weight class" Yoo said, `It's about money after all. I'll check the solution quickly," he replied.

Squash, which became an official event at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, pointed to the issue of prospective players participating at their own expense. "Players are participating in international competitions at their own expense. Training allowance is provided only when accompanied by a national team leader, but he does not receive training allowance because he participates at his own expense. I wish I could at least add a training allowance. There are table tennis, badminton, handball, and squash in Oryungwan, and we are the only ones who train in the village all the time. Due to the nature of the sport, there is a limit to training in the village. There are also potential players. We need to participate in international competitions and support off-season training." Yoo should look at the format and nature of the contest. The participation of the Olympic ranking points in the tournament will need support. I'll check the relevant regulations and give you feedback," he replied. "I'll try hard to make money. The Korean Sports Council cannot do everything. The associations should also work together organically."

Unpopular sports such as jiu-jitsu and karate also rushed to speak out in the atmosphere of leaders 'free speech'. The leader of Jiu-Jitsu "16 players entered the village, but only two leaders. It's so hard for one leader to go to an international youth tournament and coach the players alone," he said of his grievances. The karate event then raised its hand. "Garade can only participate in four of the 10 categories of international competitions. There is also a lack of players, but they are proceeding without two categories in the selection match and lack of finances. He has to win ranking points to participate in the World Championship, but he is not receiving support. There is no unemployment team and no support. It is difficult to participate in international competitions with training allowances. I don't have any other income, I'm just receiving an allowance. In fact, I'm so happy just to come here with a hard time, but it's hard to play for a long time. Even a good player is getting out." Yoo said, `No one knows when karate will become an Olympic sport. This is the national athletes' village, not the Olympic or Asian Games athletes' village." "There are stocks to invest in looking at the potential, future, such as Jiu-Jitsu and Karate." We have 68 events. We will try to make sure these events are not left out."

At the end of the meeting, which lasted nearly an hour with candid suggestions from leaders and a quick talk, Chairman Yoo said he wanted to ask the leaders something. "First, autonomy of each early morning exercise event, second, autonomy of the leader's commute, and third, installing a networking space that combines simple drinking in the athletes' village." The market was stirred by a surprise policy proposal to increase the autonomy and freedom of leaders and players in regulatory-oriented policies. Each event and individual's thoughts were different. One leader expressed concern that `If the leader of the athletes' village leaves work and something unsavory happens, both burdens and responsibilities come to the leader.' Chairman Yoo said "It's my pledge, but I won't do it if you disagree. Responsibility and burden can be made well by making regulations." "I disagree about the ban on the leader's drinking in the athletes' village. It is difficult to understand the situation where the leader is disciplined for secretly drinking in the room after work, even though they are all adults. Why do you have to hide and drink. I can eat a can of beer. I want to create a space where we can gather together to relieve stress and communicate, and a networking space in Jincheon Training Center where limited drinking is possible. When many leaders say, "We plan to make the relevant rules strictly because everything goes too far will lead to mistakes,'" many leaders say, "Good!" expressed one's approval. In the future, it will decide whether to reflect the opinions of leaders in the collection.

Yoo said, `This is not the Olympic Village, but the National Team Village. The facilities are excellent, spacious and relaxed. We will carefully check the necessary items for each event. " "I can't do everything at once, but I won't miss your voice one by one. We will think about it together and solve it. In particular, we will support the performance-related areas without any inconvenience"I promised.

Reporter Jeon Young-ji, sky4us@sportschosun.com .

This article was translated by Naver AI translator.