Physical Altercation In Asian Games Warm-up Pool

SWIMMING AT THE 2018 ASIAN GAMES

The Korean Sport & Olympic Committee has accused a female Chinese swimmer of assaulting a female South Korean swimmer during Asian Games warm-ups on Thursday, August 23rd. According to Korean news outlet Yonhap, South Korea’s Kim Hye-jin was ‘physically attacked’ by an unnamed female Chinese swimmer at the Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) Sports Arena in Jakarta, site of the ongoing Games.

Per the Korean Sport and Olympic Committee (KSOC), Kim accidentally hit the Chinese swimmer’s face, but the Chinese athlete then later kicked Kim. The pair wound up being separated by South Korean and Chinese coaches to prevent any further escalation.

As later reported in Yonhap, the Chinese staff apologized to the South Korean athletes and coaches at the scene and later visited the South Korean delegation at the athletes’ village to issue an additional apology.

“Two swimmers had quarrel after they had physical contact,” a KSOC official said. “Kim apologized first, but apparently the Chinese athlete couldn’t understand what she said and assaulted her.

“It’s something that happens frequently between swimmers during training and the Chinese player’s coach has apologized.”

Kim placed 5th in the women’s 100m back here in Jakarta.

The incident brings back the memory of Chinese champion Sun Yang‘s physical altercation with Brazilian swimmer Larissa Oliveira in the Kazan warm-up pool during the 2015 World Championships. The Brazilian coaching staff reported seeing Sun trying to kick and elbow Oliveira after a collision in the warm-up pool during prelims. SunFINA ultimately decided that no furether action was required in the incident, with president Cornel Marculescu blaming it on overcrowded pool conditions.

In This Story

22
Leave a Reply

Subscribe
Notify of

22 Comments
newest
oldest most voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Coach Jim
5 years ago

Other countries just need to adopt the US club meet system so athletes become desensitized to being mauled in crowded warm-ups.

Sqimgod
5 years ago

I thought this was going to be another article on someone trying to altercate with with my second fav swimmer shining sun himself!

Less backstroke
5 years ago

Cat fight.

Potomac
5 years ago

“Kim apologized first, but apparently the Chinese athlete couldn’t understand what she said and assaulted her.”
Looks like this is the communication issue.

applesorangesandbananas
Reply to  Potomac
5 years ago

Not an communication issue. Roid rage is the simple answer.

Love to Swim
Reply to  applesorangesandbananas
5 years ago

Shane Tusup approves.

Pvdh
5 years ago

I only came to see if it was Sun

Togger
5 years ago

Surely at a meet like this with only a limited number of swimmers per nation, warm up pools are if anything better than Nationals or an age group meet (where everyone who hits a certain time gets to swim)?

I know pros probably have longer warm ups and there’s more riding on it, but people need to calm the hell down!

Blackflag82
5 years ago

smh…I’m not sure the last time I warmed up and didn’t get smacked or kicked by someone from a different team…it’s warm ups, and arms and legs are literally flailing everywhere. If everyone who got hit attacked everyone who didn’t apologize,every swim meet would be a Battle Royale.

Jimbo
Reply to  Blackflag82
5 years ago

Kinda is already a battle royale

Blackflag82
Reply to  Jimbo
5 years ago

you’re thinking of water polo

BGNole97
5 years ago

Judo chop!

Marty
Reply to  BGNole97
5 years ago

I shouldn’t laugh at that. But I did.

BGNole97
Reply to  Marty
5 years ago

Why shouldn’t you laugh?

About Retta Race

Retta Race

Former Masters swimmer and coach Loretta (Retta) thrives on a non-stop but productive schedule. Nowadays, that includes having just earned her MBA while working full-time in IT while owning French 75 Boutique while also providing swimming insight for BBC.

Read More »