Chun Jae-su
Chun Jae-su, the South Korean-born head coach of the U.S. short-track speedskating team, has denied charges of abuse brought by his current and former athletes.
In a statement released through his spokesman, Cho Hyon-myong, on Monday, Korean time, Chun said he is innocent.
“I have not abused athletes in any way and am confident I will be found innocent at the outcome of the investigation,” the statement read.
The statement was issued a day after 19 skaters, including five Olympic medalists, filed a grievance against U.S. Speedskating over Chun’s alleged abuse and the national federation’s failure to stop his behavior.
The list of skaters includes 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics bronze medalists Allison Baver, J.R. Celski, Alyson Dudek, Travis Jayner and Jordan Malone, according to reports.
They alleged that Chun slammed a skater against a wall before hitting him, threw bottles and chairs in tantrums, and told female skaters that they were “fat” and “disgusting.”
U.S. Speedskating said it is investigating these allegations and said Chun has been placed on “administrative leave” until the investigation is finished.
Chun, 42, coached the South Korean and Canadian national teams before taking over the U.S. team in 2007. (Yonhap News)
koreaherald@heraldcorp.com
