Chinese naturalization Lim Hyo-jun participates in Beijing Olympics, South Korea needs permission

Former short-track national team member Lim Hyo-jun (25), who chose to naturalize China, is uncertain about the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing. This is because of the provision that three years have passed since he entered the international competition before he could compete as a player from another country.

Im Hyo-jun, a 1500m gold medalist at the men’s short track at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics, acquired Chinese nationality through special naturalization. He was charged with forced harassment, who lowered the pants of a male junior to reveal body parts during training for the national team in 2019. In November last year, he was found not guilty at an appeals trial, but the Supreme Court decided to play as China’s national team because the ruling could be overturned.

However, in order for Lim Hyo-jun to compete in the Beijing Winter Olympics with the Oh Sung-hong flag, the approval of the Korea Olympic Committee (KOC) is required. An official from the Korea Sports Association said, “Im Hyo-jun, a Korean national, participated in the international competition for less than three years. He competed in the World Championships in March 2019 as Korea representative, and the Beijing Olympics will be held in February 2022. As a rule, in the Olympics. I can’t go out,” he explained. Im Hyo-jun seems to have not been aware of this fact.

There are exceptions. If the relevant National Olympic Committees (NOCs) and the International Federation (IF) agree, the approval of the IOC Executive Committee can be obtained. In Korea, the Olympic Committee has the right to make decisions about the Korean Sports Association because the Korean Sports Association is integrated and operated. An official of the sports association said, “As a result of inquiring with the Korea Ice Skating Federation, Lim Hyo-jun is short of a month. At the moment, the policy has not been decided, but if the sports club opposes, Im Hyo-jun cannot go to the Beijing Olympics.”

It is highly likely that the China Olympic Committee will request the South Korean side to cooperate with Lim Hyo-jun in the Olympic Games. However, it is not known whether the athletic meet will accept this. This is because if Lim Hyo-jun is a Chinese national, it is of course the most threatening opponent to Korea. In fact, Viktor An won three crowns at the Sochi Olympics, and Korean men only won no medals.

In addition, Lim Hyo-jun’s final judgment has not yet come out. If guilty comes out, it is not easy to accept it morally. An official of the sports association said, “It is difficult to draw a conclusion right away. It is the atmosphere of the sports festival. If a request comes from the Chinese side, we will discuss it afterward.”

Reporter Kim Hyo-kyung [email protected]