[Sports Seoul | Milan = Kim Min-kyu] “We’ll add Korea for the 500m event.”
The Olympics are the ultimate stage for athletes. Participation alone should command respect. However, at a venue in Milan, this principle was carelessly disregarded. It was hard to believe what I heard. Though said jokingly, the underlying attitude was far from light-hearted. This isn’t a local sports day; it’s the Olympics. More specifically, it’s the site of the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.
On February 10 (KST), the Milan Speed Skating Stadium was in disarray from the start of the women’s 1000m event. The chaotic mix of athletes, coaches, officials, media, and volunteers seemed far from Olympic standards. One official remarked, “I’ve never seen the athlete mixed zone overlap with VIP areas before. It’s unprecedented.”
The real issue emerged later. In the mixed zone, where post-event interviews take place, areas were designated for different countries’ media. Sections included Italy, USA, Netherlands, China, Japan, UK, Germany, France… but Korea was conspicuously absent. I double-checked, but the result was the same.
When I questioned the mixed zone manager about Korea’s exclusion, the response was shockingly dismissive. “Looks like someone snuck off with Korea,” they joked. It wasn’t funny. After persistent inquiries, they replied, “We’ll add Korea for the 500m event.”
This is unacceptable. The Olympics isn’t a neighborhood game where countries can be added or removed at will. The real question is why Korea was left out initially. If it was an oversight, an immediate apology and correction would be expected. Instead, the “we’ll fix it next time” attitude reveals a lack of respect, not a resolution to an error.
How should we interpret this? Korea is a powerhouse in ice sports, consistently medaling in short track and speed skating for decades. This goes beyond a simple mistake; it’s a diplomatic blunder.
The attitude is even more troubling. There’s no apology, no acknowledgment of the problem. Trying to laugh it off and promising to “do better next time” shows a lack of respect. The Olympics is where athletes compete with national pride. The organization should reflect that same level of dignity.
The Olympics stand for fairness and respect. That’s why timings are measured to the thousandth of a second. A true Olympic spirit requires fair operations, balanced attitudes, and consistent respect. If this behavior continues, it’s not just Korea’s problem – it could undermine the integrity of the entire Olympic movement.
The Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics organizers have much to improve. They must realize that the Olympics’ essence isn’t in flashy ceremonies or cutting-edge facilities. It’s about respecting every participant and adhering to fundamental principles. kmg@sportsseoul.com
Most Commented