Penalties For Korean Badminton Individuals Involved In Match-Throwing Scandal Reduced

The recommended penalties on Korean badminton players and coaches involved in a match-throwing scandal at the Olympics "were reduced" Wednesday, one day after the players appealed the earlier ruling, according to the KOREA TIMES. The Korea Badminton Association said that Jung Kyung-eun, Kim Ha-na, Ha Jung-eun and Kim Min-jung "will be suspended from domestic and int'l play for six months." National team Coach Sung Han-kook and Assistant Kim Moon-soo "have been suspended for two years." The disciplinary committee had previously "handed down lifetime bans on both." The Korean badminton governing body ordered the stiff penalties "under pressure" from the Korean Olympic Committee (KOREA TIMES, 8/22).