A coach in the South Korean short track team has been permanently expelled for striking a skater just weeks ahead of the home Winter Olympics in PyeongChang.
The unnamed coach was kicked out by the Korea Skating Union (KSU) after admitting to assaulting Olympic short track speed skating champion Shim Suk Hee, according to the South Korean agency Yonhap on Thursday.
"We have decided on the heavy punishment of permanent expulsion after we discussed the gravity of the issue following statements from the attacker," Kim Sang Kyum, chairman of a KSU independent disciplinary committee, was quoted as saying.
"The coach in question has admitted [it] ... He stated that Shim did not respect his opinion and that he hit her to help enhance her performance."
The 20-year-old Shim anchored South Korea to gold in the 3000m relay at the 2014 Sochi Olympics, while also winning individual silver and bronze medals.
The Games in PyeongChang begin February 9.
