Olympic Speed Skating Gold Medalist Accused Of Assaulting Junior Athletes

Speed skating Olympian, Lee Seung Hoon, has reported been accused of assaulting his junior speed skating athletes.

Lee Seung Hoon is a multi-gold-medalist and Olympian. He recently won gold at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics for speed skating mass start.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced that the Korea Skating Union is currently looking into claims that a national speed skater assaulted his juniors, while participating in events abroad.

“It’s been confirmed that a national speed skating athlete has been accused of assaulting two of his junior athletes at dorms and cafeteria, while participating in a competition abroad (2011, 2013, 2016).” — Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism

Lee Seung Hoon allegedly hit his junior’s head while training in Germany back in 2013. He’s also accused of hitting another junior’s head during the 2016 World Cup in Netherlands. Lee Seung Hoon allegedly assaulted his junior after the junior accidentally spilled rice while eating at the cafeteria.

Lee Seung Hoon’s alleged claims apparently contrast the claims of his juniors, as he reportedly stated that he was simply disciplining them, while his juniors thought otherwise.

“The national speed skating athlete explained that he was disciplining his juniors, but the victims are claiming they were assaulted. Both sides are contrasting each other.” — Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism

The Korea Skating Union soon confirmed that the claims were about Lee Seung Hoon.

“It appears a couple of athletes reported the claims to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Lee Seung Hoon explained that he hit his juniors while lightly playing around with them.” — Korea Skating Union

Lee Seung Hoon’s representatives claimed they were looking into the claims, and Lee Seung Hoon is reportedly unable to be contacted.

“We are confirming if the claims are true.” — Lee Seung Hoon’s Representative

In light of his controversy, Lee Seung Hoon’s past apology to his fellow speed skaters resurfaced. He was accused of receiving special treatment while training for the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics, and he later apologized to his teammates, vowing to be more cautious about what could potentially hurt others.

“I later realized that those kind of training can hurt my fellow athletes. I feel very apologetic. I’ll think more about how I can train to my best ability without hurting my teammates.” — Lee Seung Hoon