'Product of an outdated era': Wi-Fi blocking and mandatory early-morning workouts all eliminated... Village head Kim Taek-soo: "I trusted the athletes and coaches" [Jincheon on-site]

*This content was translated by AI.

One of the most significant changes in preparations for the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya (Japan) Summer Asian Games, just 30 days away, is the 'autonomy' guaranteed to athletes staying at the national team training center.

In previous preparation phases for the 2022 Hangzhou Games and the 2024 Paris Olympics, there were many instances of mandatory or restricted behaviors imposed on athletes residing in the village. However, since Kim Taek-soo assumed office as village head in April last year, the culture has undergone a major transformation.

In fact, past national team training centers sparked controversy over late-night Wi-Fi blocking, mandatory early-morning workouts, and participation in military-style drills. While the intention was to allow national athletes wearing the Taegeuk mark to focus solely on competition preparation, some critics labeled these measures as 'products of an outdated era.'

Such training center practices, which sparked significant controversy not only within the sports community but also across society, have become a thing of the past since Kim Taek-soo took office.

At the D-30 Media Day event, Kim Taek-soo stated on the 20th: "Today marks my 507th day in office. Even before I took office, issues like mandatory early-morning workouts, Wi-Fi blocking, and military training had already drawn widespread social criticism." He emphasized, "Upon taking office, I changed early-morning workouts to be voluntary, and there is no longer any Wi-Fi blocking. This approach continues to this day."

The village head added, "It seems the era of national athletes training because the village head or the Korean Sports Council ordered them is over. The training center should be a place where each athlete pursues their own goals, realizes their dreams, and takes on challenges. As long as we remain true to the essence, that's sufficient. I believe autonomy must be guaranteed according to the characteristics of each sport."

Although mandatory early-morning workouts have been eliminated, such sessions continue when necessary based on sport-specific requirements. Kim Taek-soo himself attends early-morning workouts daily unless special circumstances arise, observing the athletes. He explained, "When I see the athletes' eyes, they look fine. They are alive and alert. Their attitude toward training gives me confidence as village head that I can trust our athletes."

Kim Taek-soo further noted, "Of course, early-morning workouts may be necessary at times, and night training might also be required. However, by respecting sport-specific characteristics, athletes can train more effectively and perform better in competition. Over the past 507 days, coaches and athletes have all worked diligently. While concerns about autonomy exist outside, I have trusted both the athletes and coaches. I believe they will perform well enough at this Asian Games as well."

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*This content was translated by AI.