TRIGGER WARNING R*PE: This bit of news is troubling even for me to talk about with good conscience
Shim Suk Hee is a gold medalist speed skater for Korea's Winter Olympic. She is also a victim of rape and was sexually assaulted as a minor by her coach and was a victim of systematic failure, overall incompetence, and criminal negligence by Korea's Olympic Committee that failed to protect her even after learning of these allegations. All of this is news past, but is relevant context to today's explosive news that old text messages between her and a coach bring credence to allegations that Shim purposefully may have sabotaged the Korean team in the 2018 Winter Olympics. Below CNN Gawon Bae writes,
"Seoul, South Korea (CNN)South Korean short track speed skater Shim Suk-hee, who was at the center of public sentiment for revealing physical and sexual abuse by her former coach, has been dropped from the national team over controversial text messages, putting her hopes of taking part in the Winter Olympics in jeopardy.
In text messages exchanged with an unnamed women's national team coach during the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, Seoul-based online news outlet Dispatch reported that the two mocked Shim's teammates Choi Min-jeong and Kim A-lang, whom she had competed alongside in the 3,000m relay.
On top of mocking her teammates, Shim is also accused of alleged race fixing at the short track women's 1,000m final in Pyeongchang.
Shim and the unnamed coach mention "Bradbury" several times in their text messages days before the final. The coach texted: "If you have strength, let's make Bradbury," to which Shim agreed.
Steven Bradbury is an Australian speed skater renowned for winning the most unexpected gold at the 2002 Winter Olympics. He was left to cross the finish line alone as all the other competitors in the race tumbled and fell on the ice.
The two talked about making a female Bradbury several times in their text messages.
During the 1,000m final at the 2018 Winter Olympics, Shim and Choi tangled and collided on the ice as they raced on the outer course of the track. Choi finished 4th and Shim was disqualified, leading to speculation in light of the text messages that she may have deliberately caused the collision."
She has since been dropped from the Olympic team, and barred from training facilities.
Netizens in Korea are crucifying the young skater, many without contextualizing the rape and mindset she was in when all this happened, which leaves the question, "Can you root for a team whose coach raped you?"
Below is footage of the collision in question, you be the judge