This topic has gained enough ‘legs’ that it deserves its own thread – posts from the
General ST Chat thread have been copied here for further discussion. Here are the previous posts on the subject:
---------------------
therockfairy, Feb 19, 8:06am wrote:
Apolo posted this on Twitter. Awful news:
Local coach accused of corporal punishment against youth speedskaters:Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, February 19, 2011
www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/18/AR2011021804021.html---------------------
gasp, Feb 19, 8:05pm wrote:
Just read the article and I'm not real sure what to think. Still going hmmm.....
---------------------
therockfairy, Feb 20, 5:03am wrote:
yeah i know, hard to know what to believe - i hope for everyones sake its not true, but hmmm indeed
---------------------
justsayin, Feb 24, 11:57am wrote:
Another article on Kim in today's Washington Post.
sounds like USOC got interested after the other article and now USS is reinvestigating........
www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/23/AR2011022307775.html?hpid=moreheadlines---------------------
therockfairy, Feb 24, 2:06pm wrote:
im glad they are investigating - they are very serious allegations (true or not)
---------------------
Laura (Lori), Feb 25, 5:08pm wrote:
I’ve heard rumors that KDS was a brutal coach, but that can mean many things to many people. For some it could mean behavior that could land a guy in jail. For others, it could mean that he worked the kids extremely hard. For still others, it could mean that he didn’t allow orange slices and juice boxes at practice…
My husband and I have been in the coaching environment for years (not short track), and I truly believe that no matter what you do, somebody’s gonna be mad at you about something. I’m not a bit surprised that KDS has detractors – and I’m equally un-surprised that he has plenty of supporters, as evidenced by the following letter published by the Washington Post:
Parents' letter in support of speedskating coach Kim Dong-SungMonths after allegations of abuse were levied against Kim, 32 parents and associates signed a letter in his defense, saying the charges were "not at all consistent" with their experience.www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/special/sports/parentsletter.htmlThat being said - in today’s environment, you don’t touch a kid. Ever. It’s just begging for trouble. It doesn’t matter if it’s a hockey stick to the butt or a hug -there’s very little touching that won’t make
somebody squawk.
I’m sure we haven’t heard the last of this, and we'll continue to follow the process.
----------------------
Laura (Lori), Mar 2, 9:17pm wrote:
I'm hearing reliable info that says KDS' coaching credentials have been suspended pending further investigation, and that Child Protective Services in Maryland is now looking into the matter. I’m thinking this will mean that he will not be available to coach at Nationals/American Cup Final in Wausau next week…
----------------------
sk8er, Mar 2, 10:11pm wrote:
KDS grew up and participated in Korean skating during a time when the treatment of skaters was not good. Many of the worst recent abuses were discussed about 4-5 years ago on Ohnozone when members of the Korean Women's Team actually left the training center to protest their treatment. I've had people tell me they saw physical abuse and our Korean coach (whom we asked to leave) yelled aggressively at us routinely and "No talking! Watch better skaters!" It's a tough culture, all around. The "Tiger Mom" syndrome. Still, the Korean coaches who come over here have surely learned that Americans will work hard....go Team USA!....but not countenance physical and psychological abuse. I hope these charges prove baseless....However I think USS should have gotten onto this sooner knowing the history. In this day and age you can't put your head in the sand and hope things go away.
---------------------
justsayin, Mar 3, 10:58am wrote:
KDS is indeed suspended according to this latest Washington Post article, today:
www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/03/03/AR2011030300049.htmlI have to say that the original "investigation" sounds very weak. It appears that USOC stepped up to this issue immediately upon hearing about it. What is unsaid but might be assumed is that USOC is none to happy to have heard about these allegations by reading them in the newspaper and not from US Speedskating.
I also have to say that the argument that the parents did not go to the legal authorities doesn't hold much weight with me either. It is the responsibility of any governing organization (be it sports, scouts, etc) to protect the minors entrusted to them who are participating in the activities they sponsor from abuse of any kind.
----------------------
sk8er, Mar 3, 11:30am wrote:
Oh oh....those allegations sound familiar and WHAT was USS thinking??? Surely they knew the liability repercussions if these issues stick? Kim had the chutzpah to say that USS's failure to act during the summer shows his innocence?! These people have been in the sport for years. So sad, especially in light of the stellar results some Korean coaches have obtained for their athletes without this sort of charge.
(
----------------------
gasp, Mar 3, 2:02pm wrote:
Keeping it simple: ITA! With Justsayin' & sk8er.
The innocent sometimes go down with the "alleged" guilty, simply by association. That is indeed sad.
I guess we will stay tuned for the next 'scoop' from the Post!
-----------------------
breidy, Mar 3, 4:34pm wrote:
Having sat on the board for the Child Protective Services for years in Huntsville, Texas, here is what bothers me:
"Kim, who moved to the United States soon after retiring from professional skating in 2002, coached for the now-defunct Wheaton Speedskating Club in 2007-08 and the Potomac Speedskating Club in 2008-10.
He left both clubs as allegations of abuse emerged, according to several parents and officials from the clubs."
To sad that this apparently has gone on since 2007. Why are we just investigating Kim? Surely this isn't the first time kids/parents have come forward with such allegations.
Abuse in any form must not be tolerated. In most instances, the allegations are true. Very seldom are they wrong.
USS needs to move forward with this with much haste. Too bad when they were originally made aware of the situation with Kim they felt like they didn't have enough evidence. Bet a little time would have uncovered all they needed.
This is really upsetting. Those poor babies.
And it is sad that Kim and/or his parents weren't afforded the freedom to report the abuse Kim suffered at the hands of his coaches.
Abuse is a learned behavior and is cyclimatic. You have to break the cycle.
--------------------
gasp, Mar 3, 10:06pm wrote:
So true on breaking the cycle Breidy. I work in an industry where child abuse allegations come up on occasion. It is rare that the perpetrators are found innocent. Whatever is going on here, I hope someone has considered offering these families counseling for their kids if needed.
If USOC only found out about this situation through the first Washington Post article, I too can only wonder: WTH is going on at USS? Aren't they obligated to keep USOC up-to-speed on activities within their sport?
I do not understand why any official at USS would put the skating program "on the line" by not reporting this to USOC and the local authorities.
What legal counsel advised that train of thought?
On another level: I pity the marketing group for USS as they go out with hat in hand, asking for corporate sponsorships. I'm sure the marketing department hopes this situation is resolved quickly!
(FYI: I have modified the heck out of my original post. Many of my thoughts reiterated much of what has been posted!
)
-----------------------
Joyce, Mar 4, 10:39am wrote:
Re: KDS
Great discussion and posts by all!
There may be a silver lining in all of this - hopefully a wake-up call for USS and those utilizing questionable coaching practices. USS acted in response to public exposure by investigative journalism by a major newspaper ( kudos to Amy Shipley for her balanced reportage, I remember her SST articles during the Olys, she must be a skating fan!) and directives by the USOC. Hopefully they will reassess their protocols and raise their bar in the aftermath.
Sadly, KDS in all likelihood coaching in the manner he was coached. My thinking is that he should have evolved and distanced himself from that "learned" behavior by his many opportunities and exposures to life outside of Korea, plus he is young enough to escape that old guard type of thinking. He was definitely aware of the Korean "scandal" years ago that was mentioned by Sk8er and cannot plead ignorance. This situation will have great impact in Korea as coaching jobs cross all boundaries and I am sure employment opportunities ouside of Korea are coveted and necessary. The depth of Korean skaters are well-known, which will create a surplus of Korean coaches vying for a finite number of positions in the years to come. I am hoping that if abusive "cycles" cannot be broken by personal motivation, then perhaps professional and monetary survival will. The coach with a clean history will be much more marketable than a suspect one, and hopefully USS will pay more attention to this aspect of the interview process. The problem that will remain after all is said and done is the subjective perception of "abusive" vs tough coaching, but I am hoping to see changes in the present paradigm.
---------------------------
sk8er, Mar 4, 6:53pm wrote:
I'm an attorney, and while I work in an area of administrative t law I still remember basic legal principals. Once the USS officials were put on notice of this situation I think they would have had an affirmative duty to investigate. The question would be whether their investigation met reasonable standards. They had better be talking to the issuers of the USS liability policy to see the extent of their coverage. But "gasp" you make an even more important point: how do these folks now ask corporate sponsors to pony up?? Recall the fiasco in 2006 when Quest demanded close to $500,000 back because Shani Davis blanked out the corporate logo on his skinsuit and the photo appeared on Sports Illustrated. USS paid a ton of money to settle the Quest claim. (I don't know how much).
Raising money in the years after the Olympics is always a challenge. With Ohno gone they will have a much harder time. This is the kiss of death. And it need not have happened if Kim had been suspended pending an investigation. That's the route typically taken in other venues. Why not here? It's not like these things go unreported. This is a very small sport. Everyone knows everyone and coaches and longtime skaters and officials pass around information. When someone as prominent as Kim Dong Sung comes over everyone heard about it. If he left a club you can bet elite skaters, coaches and officials heard about it and wondered why.
Sigh. I've followed ST only since 2002 but it just seems that questions of appropriate management come up every few years that make you scratch your head. These are people who have given untold years of their lives to the sport. It's not like they are getting rich or anything, but the standards today are far beyond "amateur" in amateur sports.
(
