Paris Olympics: India’s Korean archery not to continue after contract expiry

Indian archery coach Baek Woong Ki has expressed outrage and disappointment after being denied accreditation for the Paris Olympics.

The renowned Korean coach, who has been with the Indian archery team for over a year, has played a pivotal role in their preparation for the Games. Woong Ki, who guided South Korea to two gold medals at the 2012 London Olympics, questioned the logic behind the Indian Olympic Association’s (IOA) decision to exclude him from the Olympic coaching role at a critical time.

Woong Ki, who has been staying in a Paris hotel awaiting his Games accreditation, stated that he will not continue as the Indian archery coach after his contract expires on August 30. He emphasised that his presence would have significantly boosted India’s chances of winning a medal in archery, particularly against strong opponents like South Korea.

The coach believes that his experience in the Olympics, having won four gold medals and one silver medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics and the 2012 London Olympics, would have been invaluable in creating the right conditions for the archers to perform stably under pressure.

The IOA has cleared several personal coaches and support staff in other disciplines, but Woong Ki’s exclusion has raised questions about the administration’s priorities. The coach feels that the investment in a Korean coach was pointless if he is not allowed to participate in the Olympics. Woong Ki has been instrumental in shaping the Indian archery team and has instilled in them the practice of dealing with competition pressures. He believes that the psychological pressure at the Olympics is immense, and a coach’s role becomes crucial in creating a stable environment for the archers.

India will be represented by six archers at the Paris Olympics, which will take place from July 26 to August 11. Woong Ki’s departure will undoubtedly be a setback for the team, but he has expressed his hope for the Indian archers to win a medal. The incident highlights the importance of effective administration and support for athletes and coaches in achieving success at the highest level.