Paris Olympics: South Korea’s An threatens to quit national team after badminton gold

South Korea’s An Se-young threatened to quit the national team over a lack of protection for her injury after securing an Olympic gold medal in the women’s badminton.

The 22-year-old beat China’s He Bingjiao in straight sets to secure victory in the final at La Chapelle Arena on Monday.

But at the award ceremony, rather than celebrate, she took aim at the South Korean Federation for failing to help her recovery from a knee problem picked up during the Asian Games last October.

“My injury was more serious than expected, and I was quite disappointed with the national team for being too complacent,” she said. “I also think it might be difficult to continue with the national team after this moment.”

An’s criticism of South Korea’s national federation continued in the postgame press conference.

“From the moment of the initial misdiagnosis, I continued to endure and compete,” she said. “But when I had a re-examination at the end of last year, it turned out to be much worse. I was able to get this far thanks to enduring and the help of my coach.