An, who captured the women’s singles title at the Paris Olympics, had publicly accused the association of mismanagement, particularly regarding a knee injury she sustained last year. She claimed the injury was misdiagnosed and poorly treated, forcing her to compete in pain for weeks.
The outspoken player’s criticism sparked a government investigation into the association’s handling of the matter.
However, upon arriving in South Korea, An appeared to soften her stance, telling reporters at Incheon International Airport that her intention was not to cause conflict. “I just wanted to focus on my sport,” she said, adding that she would provide more details after further discussion.
Kim Taek-kyu, president of the Korea Badminton Association, also addressed the controversy on Wednesday, flatly denying any conflict with An. He promised to release a statement later in the day addressing the allegations.
The public spat between the two sides has cast a shadow over South Korea’s badminton program, which has enjoyed significant success on the international stage. The government investigation is expected to shed light on the association’s practices and could lead to reforms.
