Choi Min-kyoung Competes as French National

“I would have not become a French national player if I had a great future in Korea.”

22-year-old Choi Min-kyoung was the gold medalist in short track skating at the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics. She made that statement in a telephone interview with Dong-A Ilbo on March 8 after shocking Korea by joining the International Skating Union (ISU) World Cup Sixth Competition held at Bormio, Italy last month as a French national. She is staying in Dijon, France right now.

“Players of unpopulated sports have nothing to do after graduating college. People only remember the moment when we get a gold medal, although we train hard. We miss the chance to study for training, but we have to pay for it later. In addition, it is hard to become a coach as a female. I will plan my future as I carry out both study and training in France.”

“I don’t think it’s wrong. It may be an opportunity to let the French learn about Korea,” said Choi. “Would you hesitate to become a national player for another country even if you won a gold medal as a Korean national player?”

Following is an interview with Choi.

- Why did you decide to represent France?

“I stopped short track skating in Korea in 2002. I once traveled to France because my college (Ewha Women’s University) friends often visit there. Then, a person from the France skating national team asked me to become a French national team member through an acquaintance. I think that he wanted me to compete for France because of the low level of French short track skating.”

- Did you disqualify for the national tryout in April 2002?

“I didn’t participate. I believed that I had no prospects in Korea. I also thought I had to step aside for junior players, because I receive a pension at least.”

Choi draws a pension of one million won a month since she took three gold medals in the 2001 Poland Zakopane Winter Universiad and won a gold medal in the women’s 3000m relay in the 2002 Winter Olympics.

- How is your life going on?

“Even national players don’t lodge together here. I go to a language institute in Dijon in normal time because the national team is organized through tryouts only for competition.”

- Do you have a plan to be naturalized in France?

“The French national team wants me to apply for citizenship, but I don’t know yet what to do.”

- Is it possible for you to compete for France even before naturalization?

“I have heard that it does not violate ISU Policies. It is all right on the condition that I reside in France and I have not played for Korea more than one year.”

Her father, 56-year-old Choi Seong-woon stated, “The France Skating Association gave the suggestion that it assures her a position as a national team member and a coaching position afterwards, and also suggested recommending her as an IOC member representing players in case she places better than third place in the Winter Olympics.”

She will decide whether to become French or not. But what made her wear the uniform of the French national team? After the interview, it was that thought that was trailing for a long time.

Jei-Gyoon Park phark@donga.com