Archery's Im Si-hyeon Asked, "Aren't You Getting Arrow Mark Treatment?"... Controversy Grows After Interview, Eventually Responds

Controversy Over Terrestrial Broadcaster Crew Mentioning Injury Near Chin
"Only Female Athletes Asked About Appearance" Netizens Criticize

At the 2024 Paris Olympics, a controversy erupted involving a reporter and a media outlet who asked archery triple gold medalist Lim Si-hyun if he had considered getting a "bow mark" tattoo. Recently, a YouTube channel of a terrestrial broadcaster, 'SBS Sports,' posted a 'Chaterview' content titled "Lim Si-hyun: 'If the reason I lost is because of me'." In the video, the reporter asked Lim Si-hyun, "You have a bow mark on your chin, right?"

This interview video also showed a close-up of Lim Si-hyeon's jaw area. In response, netizens commented, "For an athlete, this is the result of their hard practice, so why ask such a question?" and "Even if they are not an athlete, it seems disrespectful to ask about someone else's face carelessly." [Photo by SBS Sports YouTube channel]

The bow mark mentioned by the reporter refers to the wound caused by the bowstring rubbing against the chin when the athlete draws the bow. This mark is truly a 'badge of honor' showing that Lim Si-hyun reached the Olympic stage through his blood, sweat, and tears. In response to the question, Lim Si-hyun said, "It has now dulled. It has become discolored," brushing it off lightly. Then the reporter asked again, "Have you thought about getting it treated?" to which Lim Si-hyun replied, "I think I will have to do it after I retire."

The interview video also showed a close-up of Lim Si-hyun's chin area. In response, netizens commented, "For an athlete, it's the result of their hard practice, so why ask such a question?" and "Even if you're not an athlete, it's disrespectful to ask about someone else's face carelessly." Furthermore, the question sparked a gender discrimination controversy. Some netizens pointed out, "Male athletes have never been asked such questions, so why is Lim Si-hyun the only one?" On the other hand, some argued, "How is this gender discrimination?" and "It's a perfectly reasonable question, but nowadays people get offended by everything." As the controversy continued, SBS Sports made the video private on the 5th.

Controversy also sparked by sudden mention of Tokyo Olympic triple gold medalist An San

Earlier, SBS Sports also caused controversy with the thumbnail (video cover image) of the women's archery individual final between Lim Si-hyun and Nam Su-hyun. When the YouTube channel posted a match summary video on the 3rd, it titled it "Lim Si-hyun, An San unni watching?" which sparked criticism.

The intention was probably to highlight that Lim Si-hyeon achieved impressive results comparable to An San, a three-time gold medalist at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and former national team athlete, but ultimately, the phrase was criticized as being disrespectful.
[Photo by YouTube channel 'SBS Sports']

The intention was probably to highlight Lim Si-hyun's excellent performance by comparing him to An San, the triple gold medalist and former national team member from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, but it resulted in criticism for being disrespectful. Critics said there was no need to unnecessarily summon An San, who did not participate in this Olympics, to create a rivalry narrative. There were also requests to focus the title on the match content with Nam Su-hyun. After the controversy, the video title was changed to "Lim Si-hyun Back-to-Back Triple Gold Medalist."

The Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS), the broadcaster under the International Olympic Committee (IOC), has issued guidelines to Olympic filming crews to shoot male and female athletes in the same manner. The intent is to prevent sexist perspectives, such as emphasizing female athletes' body parts, from being included in the broadcasts. The National Union of Mediaworkers' Gender Equality Committee also prepared reporting guidelines for a 'Gender-Equal Olympics' ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics. The guidelines include checking whether questions that would not be asked of male athletes were prepared and whether questions focused on the athletes' abilities revealed through the results and processes of the competition.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.