<Anchor>



Last week, we delivered the news that Russia, which invaded Ukraine, and Belarus, which sympathized with it, are planning to participate in this year's Asian Games in order to qualify for the Olympics.

As a result of our coverage, it was confirmed that as many as 500 players from the two countries are planning to participate, and that if those players win first place, they will only receive commemorative medals, not gold medals.



Reporter Kwon Jong-oh covered the story exclusively.



<Reporter>



An official from the Korea Sports Council said that the Olympic Council of Asia and OCA sent an official letter to all 45 member countries today (30th) to express their position on various issues following the participation of Russian and Belarusian players in the Asian Games in Hangzhou in September.



The Russian and Belarusian participation in the Asian Games is intended to secure the records necessary for the athletes from the two countries to participate in the Olympic Games in the Asian Games, which cannot qualify for the European qualifiers. It is beyond massive.



There is also great interest in whether medals will be awarded to these players, and according to the OCA official document, "Even if the players of the two countries win, only commemorative medals and participation certificates will be given, not official medals."



For example, if a Russian player defeats a Korean player in the final and wins the gold medal, the Russian player will only receive a commemorative medal and the gold medal will go to the Korean player who placed second.



OCA also emphasized that it will not affect the quota allocated to Asian athletes for next year's Paris Olympics.



For example, if an Asian player finishes 3rd behind Russia or Belarus, they are considered to have placed 2nd and are given rankings and points.



Even if it doesn't hurt Asian players, confusion is inevitable.



[Korean Olympic Committee official (Voice modified): It's an observer, really.

Because it's unprecedented.

That's funny.

It changes in a deformed way.] Since



Europe is blocked, attention is focusing on how Asian countries will respond to the tricks of the two countries aiming to participate in the Asian Games without qualification.



(Video editing: Kijeong Woo)