Korean coaches dismissed from Russian short track team after conflict

The heads of the Russian Skaters’ Union (SKR) decided to fire all of its three Korean coaches during the national short track team’s pre-season training camp in Salt Lake City.

Head coach Jimmy Jang, coach Kwang Buk Choi and masseur Kim Ji Ho will no longer work with the team. According to Alexey Kravtsov, president of the SKR, the dismissal of the Koreans was caused by their conflict with Russian senior coach Anatoly Brasalin.

«Quite an unpleasant incident – to put it mildly – happened In Salt Lake City. I consider the behavior of Jang and his assistants a betrayal of the team’s interests in a crucial moment – right before the start of the international season.

«I had the impression recently that the Koreans have been deliberately engineering conflicts, pursuing their own hidden goals. Despite the numerous injuries of our athletes they continued to work by the Korean formula «those who survive, shall win».

«In Salt Lake City after a traditionally exhausting workout Choi announced a punishment to a young athlete for his wrong posture during the rest. The latter should run 30 laps. Senior coach Anatoly Brasalin overturned the punishment. Jimmy Jang immediately said he wouldn’t work with the team any more.

«Jang announced his ultimatum, saying he will continue to work with the Russian team only if Brasalin was dismissed. This was a totally unacceptable condition – so I announced that it is Jang whom we dismiss. Choi and Ho obediently followed him,» Kravtsov said as quoted by SKR official website.