South Korean Swimmers Relocate Due to Commute Concerns

PARIS (AP) — In a significant move, six South Korean swimmers have departed the Olympic village to stay at a hotel closer to their competition venue, La Defense Arena. The Korea Swimming Federation president, Chong Chang-hoon, cited the lengthy commute as the primary reason for this decision, particularly for the members of the men’s 4x200-meter freestyle relay team. Swimmers Kim Woo-min and Hwang Sun-woo expressed dissatisfaction with the bus conditions, noting that their journeys have often exceeded 40 minutes. They are not alone in their frustrations; Australian swimmer Shayna Jack recently shared a photo on social media depicting her teammates sitting on the floor of a non-air-conditioned bus during a similar 45-minute trip. In response to these complaints, Australian coach Rohan Taylor revealed that the Australian Olympic Committee has been in daily discussions with local organizers and the International Olympic Committee to secure better transportation options for their athletes. The distance from the Olympic village to La Defense Arena is approximately 12 kilometers (7.5 miles), but heightened security measures in Paris have complicated travel logistics. Chong confirmed that the South Korean swimmers are now accommodated in a hotel just a five-minute walk from the venue, aiming to alleviate the stress of commuting. Efforts to address transportation issues continue, as messages sent to the Korean Olympic Committee and Korea Swimming Federation for further comments went unanswered.