[서울신문] Im Hyo-jun What about… Can’t play’Beijing’ without Korean permission

Existing Nationality Exhibited International Convention within 3 years
The Olympics are not allowed without the consent of the athletic meet according to regulations.
Im, it seems that naturalization was promoted without knowing the relevant regulations.
Concerns about foreign affairs escalation due to participation with China

It is expected that Hyo-jun Lim, 25, who chose to naturalize to China to participate in the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, will not be able to step on the Olympic stage. This is because the competition has become difficult due to the regulations of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

An official from the Korea Sports Association said on the 9th that “Im Hyo-jun cannot compete in the Beijing Olympics as a Chinese national team if the sports club opposes it in accordance with Article 41, Paragraph 2 of the IOC Olympic Charter.” The provision stipulates that in order for an athlete to change their nationality to compete in the Olympics, three years must pass after the international competition in which they participated in the existing nationality.

The last competition Lim Hyo-jun played as a national team was the International Ice Skating Federation (ISU) World Championship held in Bulgaria in March 2019. In this competition, Lim Hyo-jun won 4 crowns, including a men’s 1000m gold medal. Therefore, for Lim Hyo-jun to compete as a Chinese national, it must be after March 10, 2022, but the Beijing Winter Olympics will start on February 4, 2022 and end on the 20th. It means that it is difficult for Lim Hyo-jun to participate unless the Olympics are postponed. It is known that Hyojun Lim’s side promoted naturalization without knowing the relevant regulations.

There is an exception clause for Lim Hyo-jun to participate. The grace period can be shortened or canceled if the previous nationality National Olympic Committee (NOC) and the newly acquired nationality NOC and international federations for each sport (ISU in case of ice sheet) agree. In other words, it is possible if China requests and accepts Lim Hyo-jun’s participation in the athletic meet.

It is a risk that Hyo-Jun Lim can even spark a diplomatic issue between the two countries over whether he will participate in the Olympics. It is difficult to allow it easily because athletic meets also set a bad precedent and can affect the national team’s medal acquisition. An official of the sports association said, “It is difficult to reveal the official position because the request was not received from the Chinese NOC side,” he said.

The key question is whether Lim Hyo-jun can participate in the World Cup tournament, which is like the Olympic qualifier right now. Im Hyo-jun must attend the 2021-22 World Cup, which will be held in Beijing, China on October 21-24. For this, you must obtain the consent of the Ice Skating Federation to participate, but it may not be easy.

Reporter Ryu Jae-min [email protected]