The Korean national team achieved unexpectedly excellent results at the Paris Olympics that concluded last Sunday. In the overall standings, they placed 10th in total medals and 8th in the number of gold medals. Their upward trajectory was supported by strong performances in archery (7 medals), shooting (6 medals), and fencing (3 medals) during the earlier stages of the competition.
However, this event also exposed serious issues within Korean sports. Half of the total 16 medals were won in the gun, sword, and bow disciplines. Additionally, only individual events earned medals, while team events were completely noncompetitive. In fact, with the exception of women’s handball, they did not even participate. In short, there is a significant bias toward certain medal events, and team events have diminished in prominence. Despite the commendable performances, the structural problems within Korean sports have come to light.
Furthermore, as highlighted by Ahn Se-young’s criticism of the association, the incompetence and ‘absurd administration’ within the association have emerged as major obstacles to the growth of Korean sports. The Badminton Association is in a dire situation where its players are filing lawsuits against it and submitting national petitions to the Blue House.
The fundamental problem with K-Sports is the lack of players!
What is the key reason that associations resort to irrational administrative practices and conflict with their athletes and coaches? Simply put, they lack sufficient players. Without players, domestic competitions become uninteresting. Ultimately, they rely on the performance of national team athletes in international competitions. What about association finances? Associations become fixated on the ‘international competition results of national team players.’ For them, domestic competitions and other athletes are secondary concerns. Expanding participation and invigorating the sport? They seem unaware of those matters, as they have never tried.
Let’s compare this to neighboring Japan. (Bear in mind that Japan’s population is twice that of Korea.) For instance, Korea has fewer than 200 high school soccer teams, while Japan boasts over 4,000. In baseball, Korea has under 100 high school teams, while Japan has more than 4,000. There are about 50 high school basketball teams in Korea, but a staggering 7,000 in Japan. Finally, Korea has about 40 volleyball teams, again compared to approximately 7,000 in Japan.
When I encountered this number, I questioned whether ‘7,000 high school basketball and volleyball teams’ was plausible. Indeed, it is accurate. Japan has around 5,000 high schools (compared to about 2,400 in Korea), and most of these schools have one team for both boys and girls. More surprisingly, in Korea, soccer and baseball teams have 30-40 members each, whereas in Japan, the numbers are 100-200 students. Perhaps this is why Japan is the only Asian country that fielded both boys’ and girls’ teams in basketball and volleyball at this year’s Paris Olympics.
The disparity in the number of registered athletes in other sports between the two countries is also monumental. Currently, there are about 375,000 registered athletes in the Korea Sports Council, with more than half, 190,000, belonging to recreational sports clubs. In contrast, Japan has 630,000 registered athletes in basketball, 400,000 in volleyball, 400,000 in track and field, 250,000 in badminton, and 230,000 in swimming. In the unpopular sport of handball, Korea has around 2,000 registered athletes, while Japan has 90,000. Soccer has over one million. At this point, Japanese sports have become a ‘tall wall’ for us to overcome.
Why they ‘push’ the national team
Returning to the main topic, Korea’s ‘medal areas’ such as boxing, judo, figure skating, archery, and table tennis each have only about 2,000 to 4,000 athletes. Nevertheless, disciplines like archery and short track are able to win medals at the Olympics. This is astonishing. How is this possible? It’s simple: it is achievable with a very small number of athletes, but only through intense training methods and exhaustive practices.
This is the principle behind Korean sports. Many associations control their athletes through strict measures, establishing training camps as basic requirements, and fostering a military culture along with a hierarchy among seniors and juniors. The medals won through these practices, alongside the sponsorships derived from them, enrich the associations. However, can this method of isolating a small number of athletes and focusing solely on rigorous training really sustain itself?
Korean sports that are undermining their own future
For example, Korea has only 40-50 high school basketball and volleyball teams, while Japan has around 7,000. First, where can we find more talented players? Second, where are the greater financial resources? Third (and this is crucial), where are the more abundant job opportunities for coaches and managers?
Without a team, athletes have no career prospects after their playing days end. In this scenario, those who fall out of favor with the association are pushed out of the scene. Thus, despite their unjust treatment, players and coaches tend to stay silent due to fear of the association’s influence. Specifically, players who lose the association’s favor are often excluded from national team selections. (That’s why Ahn Se-young remarked, “I waited for 7 years!”)
The association exploits players, as noted in online discussions, using manipulative tactics and treating players merely as a means to generate revenue. Moreover, these outdated practices contribute to factions within the organization and lead to match-fixing.
Also, ‘Give me more money,’ ‘Please let me exercise instead of studying’
With the Olympics now concluded, we once again hear the familiar pleas from the sports world for ‘support for elite sports.’ Here, references to ‘the success of Japan’s elite sports’ are often included, forming the argument as follows: ‘1) Japan’s sports policy initially focused on promoting sports for leisure, 2) when these efforts did not yield results in international competitions, 3) they shifted their strategy to bolster elite sports, and 4) they emerged as a sports powerhouse again.’
This narrative is misleading. To translate it, essentially, it amounts to: ‘Please allocate plentiful resources,’ and ‘Please allow me to dedicate myself fully to training instead of academics.’ Japan is a wealthy nation. It has supported both elite and recreational sports extensively. As previously stated, Japan achieved success in the elite domain leveraging the robust foundations established through recreational sports and school athletics. At no point has Japan isolated a ‘very small number’ of young athletes in harsh training camps to enforce strict discipline. The victims of such a mindset have been individuals like Choi Sook-hyun and Shim Suk-hee. The unfortunate result has been a Korean sports culture where violence is commonplace, such as a soccer academy coach abusing students, a taekwondo gym killing a child, and a boxing coach assaulting a minor.
Why do people in Korea shy away from ‘sports clubs’?
Sports are increasingly popular these days. In particular, the participation of women in sports has surged. Alongside tennis, golf, and cycling, more women are taking on challenges in marathons, which are demanding even for men. At competitions, nearly half of the participants are women. Sports are enjoyable and beneficial. So why do they not join sports clubs? In Japan, everyone participates.
▲The Olympic team returned home through Incheon International Airport Terminal 2 on the afternoon of the 13th and received a warm welcome. ⓒYonhap News
Mental and Structural Challenges of Korean Sports Post-2024 Paris Olympics
The recent conclusion of the Paris Olympics has left a profound impact on Korean sports, revealing both achievements and glaring deficiencies. The Korean national team finished 10th overall in the total medal count and secured 8th place in the gold medal tally, thanks largely to stellar performances in shooting, archery, and fencing. Despite these accomplishments, there’s an underlying issue that cannot be overlooked: the glaring absence of team sports and the structural flaws plaguing Korean athletics.
Analysis of Medal Distribution
During the Olympics, Korea secured a remarkable 16 medals in individual events, predominantly in archery (7 medals), shooting (6 medals), and fencing (3 medals). However, this raises significant concerns about the balance and sustainability of these results:
- Concentration in Individual Sports: Half of Korea’s total medals stemmed from events that require a highly specialized skill set. The over-reliance on a few sports deepens the concerns about the future of athletics in Korea.
- Absence of Team Sports: Except for women’s handball, Korea did not compete in a significant number of team events. This reveals a worrying deficit in nurturing versatile athletes that can excel across different disciplines.
Criticism of Governance in Korean Sports
The management of sports associations in Korea has come under scrutiny, notably through public criticism from athletes like Ahn Se-young. Such statements highlight an alarming trend of ineffective administration characterized by:
Player-Dissatisfaction and Legal Issues: The distressing state of the Badminton Association has resulted in players filing lawsuits against the organization, signaling a loss of trust in governing bodies.
Root Causes of Structural Issues in Korean Sports
At the core of the problems facing K-Sports lies the disheartening truth: a dwindling pool of players. The minimal investment in grassroots programs and youth sports has led to such a scenario, where:
- Lack of Domestic Competitions: With few competitions, the excitement around domestic sports is minimal, leading associations to depend heavily on the successes of national team players in international events.
- Neglect of Grassroots Development: Both funding and focus on expanding the base of sports participation remain alarmingly low. Unlike in Japan, where grassroots sports are encouraged, South Korea possesses only a fraction of registered high school teams compared to its neighbor.
Comparative Analysis: South Korea vs. Japan
To further illustrate the structural deficiencies in Korean sports, it’s insightful to examine the stark differences in participation:
| Sport | Korea | Japan |
|---|---|---|
| High School Soccer Teams | Less than 200 | Over 4,000 |
| High School Baseball Teams | Less than 100 | Over 4,000 |
| High School Basketball Teams | About 50 | 7,000 |
| High School Volleyball Teams | About 40 | 7,000 |
The Implications of Training Practices
Traditional training methods in Korean sports have come under scrutiny. Associations often adopt stringent training regimens for a limited number of athletes:
- Sustained High Stress: Many athletes endure an arduous training schedule, which can lead to physical and psychological strain. While this may yield short-term results, long-term sustainability remains questionable.
- Culture of Control: Many sports associations exercise control over athletes, leveraging their positions to maximize performance without considering the well-being of the individual.
Understanding the Players’ Plight
The power dynamics within sports associations leave players vulnerable, sidelining their voices and concerns. Players often remain silent due to fear of repercussions, leading to a chilling environment. The cyclical nature of this issue manifests in:
- Fear of Exclusion: Athletes falling out of the spotlight face the risk of being cut from national selection, further stifling dissent.
- Monetary Exploitation: The high-stakes nature of international competition often leads associations to prioritize profits over player welfare, fundamentally misaligning the interests of all parties involved.
The Funding Dilemma in Elite Sports
With the conclusion of the Olympics, discussions on funding elite sports typically resurface. The argument often posits that investing heavily in elite athletes will yield better international representation. However:
- Successful Models Elsewhere: Japan’s sports model illustrates the importance of balancing elite sports with community-level programs to create a comprehensive sports culture.
- The Need for Systemic Change: Simply calling for more funding in elite sports without addressing grassroots development will lead to ongoing disparity and structural flaws.
Women in Sports: A Promising Trend
The rise of female participation in sports is noteworthy, with women increasingly entering realms such as tennis, golf, and marathon running, indicating positive change. However, the question remains:
Why are women hesitant to join sports clubs?
- The cultural backdrop may dissuade women from pursuing organizational affiliations, even as they actively participate in competitions.
- In contrast, mass participation is notably high in Japan, where cultural acceptability fosters sports clubs.
▲ The Korean team returning home from the Paris Olympics.
Closing Thoughts
As Korean sports face an uncertain future, a thorough reevaluation of current practices and a commitment to a more holistic athletic ecosystem is essential. By combining elite performance with community engagement, it is possible to build a robust sports culture that nurtures talent across disciplines, elevates participation, and ultimately fortifies the nation’s standing in international competitions.
