Journalism of Courage
This is an archive article published on July 20, 2024
Outraged over Olympic snub, India’s Korean archery coach to leave after contract expires
Baek Woong Ki alleges he was in Paris waiting for his accreditation when federation officials asked to leave at the last minute.
Indian archery contingent after reaching the Olympic Village in Paris. (X/TeamIndia)
India’s Korean archery coach Baek Woong Ki is outraged after being denied accreditation for the Paris Games and said he will not continue once his contract expires on August 30.
He lashed out at the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) for “poor and hasty administration”.
According to reports, Woong Ki, who reached Paris with the Indian team after overseeing its preparation in Marseille, said he “was removed from the Olympic coaching role at a critical time” and will now be flying back to India with his return ticket already booked.
“I am a Korean coach who signed a contract to prepare (the Indian archers) for the Paris Olympics. But at a critical time, I was removed from the Olympic coaching role and my flight schedule told me to return home,” the renowned coach told PTI.
He has been staying in a Paris hotel and was awaiting his Games accreditation.
“I have a contract until August 30 and I signed it for the Olympics. I plan to arrive at Sonipat and calmly prepare for the formalities of entering Korea,” he added.
The disappointed Woong Ki clarified that he would not renew his contract.
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Woong Ki has guided archery heavyweights South Korea to two gold medals at the 2012 London Olympics.
Appointed two years ago, he had been helping the Indian archers in their quest for a medal in Paris.
He questioned the logic behind not being accommodated despite the Indian authorities investing in him.
“I have been training them (Indian archers) for two years to win a medal at the Paris Olympics. However, foreign coaches were excluded due to the IOA’s poor and hasty administration. I don’t know why they invested money to appoint a Korean coach. More importantly, it’s hitting a major notch just days before the Olympics,” said Woong Ki.
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Woong Ki further said his presence would have surely boosted India’s prospects.
“Korean archers are strong in competition. If Korea and India play in the final, there is a 90% chance they will lose, but if I enter the coach’s box, the Korean archers will feel more tension and pressure because of me. Therefore, India’s chances of winning increase,” said Woong Ki, who is contracted by the Archery Association of India (AAI) and funded by the Sports Authority of India (SAI).
During his stint in India, he has played a key role in shaping the team.
“While preparing for the Olympics, I instilled in my archers the practice of avoiding and dealing with situations that may arise during competition. I have experience in the Olympics, having won four gold medals and one silver medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics and the 2012 London Olympics. No matter how well-trained the archers are, the psychological pressure at the Olympics is too great. Therefore, the coach must create conditions in the field where the archers can shoot stably.
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“And for the first time in 12 years, India has the opportunity to have three men’s and three women’s teams participating, which is a good opportunity to win a medal,” he said.
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
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