Team claims bronze in men's team event and mixed relay despite fractures suffered in training
Assembly member Kim urges stronger safety and rehabilitation support for athletes
Members of the Seoul Metropolitan Government triathlon team have received recognition from the Seoul Metropolitan Council after winning two bronze medals at the National Sports Festival despite suffering serious fractures in a training accident weeks before the competition.
Seoul Metropolitan Council member Kim Gwang-cheol of the People Power Party, representing Songpa District 2, visited the Seoul Sports Council on Monday to congratulate the team on its bronze medals in the men's team event and mixed relay at the 107th National Sports Festival. He also called on officials to improve training conditions and strengthen athlete protection systems.
The team's ordeal began on Aug. 26, when two athletes were injured in an accident involving a roe deer that suddenly ran onto the Han River bicycle path during a training session ahead of the festival.
One athlete sustained particularly severe injuries — bilateral elbow fractures, partial ligament tears and a left wrist fracture — leaving both normal training and competition participation in serious doubt.
Despite the setbacks, the team competed less than two months after the accident, finishing third in both the men's team event and the mixed relay to claim two bronze medals. The achievement carried added significance given the unexpected injuries and the training time lost.
During his visit, Kim reviewed the circumstances of the accident, the extent of the athletes' injuries, and their treatment and recovery, and praised the team for its perseverance. He said athletes should not have to rely solely on their own fighting spirit, and that safe training environments and systematic treatment and rehabilitation support must be in place.
"I was deeply moved by the courage and determination of athletes who refused to give up and won two bronze medals despite serious injuries," Kim said. "Athletes' fighting spirit must not translate into a reality where they simply endure pain, so I will work to create safer training environments and strengthen treatment and rehabilitation support systems."
Kim also called for preventive measures against wildlife encounters and other sudden accidents at outdoor training facilities, including the Han River bicycle path.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government triathlon team consists of six athletes — three men and three women — and claimed two bronze medals at this year's National Sports Festival.
7toy7@heraldcorp.com
