Korea Badminton Association Officially Protests Cheon Jingcheon’s Verbal Abuse

Judged as Excessive Unprofessional Behavior

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

The Badminton Korea Association is officially responding to the unsportsmanlike conduct of a Chinese player. Regarding Chen Qingchen (24), who uttered profanity while playing against Korean players, they announced on the 3rd that they are taking official complaint procedures with the Badminton World Federation (BWF).

Chen Qingchen, along with Jia Yifan (24), faced Korea's Kim So-young (29, Incheon International Airport) and Gong Hee-yong (25, Jeonbuk Bank) in the third match of Group D in the women's doubles group stage at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics on the 27th of last month. During the match, she frequently shouted "wo cao," a phrase equivalent to the English 'Fxxx.' Since the match was held without spectators, it was clearly conveyed to viewers. This behavior was repeated in the semifinal rematch four days later.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

Chinese-speaking badminton fans from Hong Kong, Taiwan, and other regions criticized Chen Qingchen in unison after understanding this. The American magazine Newsweek also reported that she frequently uttered profanity while on the court. When the controversy arose, Chen Qingchen stated, "I did not think my poor pronunciation would cause everyone to misunderstand." She explained that it was a pronunciation issue and that she did not swear. On the 2nd, she lost to Indonesia's Greysia Polii and Apriyani Rahayu and took home the silver medal.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) does not have specific regulations regarding profanity during matches. However, the BWF rules prohibit saying offensive words loudly enough to be clearly heard by referees or spectators. The Badminton Korea Association concluded internally that the unsportsmanlike conduct was excessive and decided to take official action.

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