South Korea's Olympic Committee Advocates Military Training for Athletes

Decision sparks controversy as critics label it outdated and regressive, while some sports associations refuse to participate due to scheduling conflicts.

• South Korea's Olympic committee is pushing to send hundreds of athletes to a military training center to enhance their mental toughness for the Paris Olympics, a move that has been criticized as outdated and regressive.
• About 320 athletes, including women, are expected at the Korea Marine Corps camp in Pohang for three days of training this month.
• This is the first time the Olympic committee has recommended marine-style training, a decision made following the Asian Games in China in October, when South Korea finished third in the gold medal count to China and Japan.
• Details of the Dec. 18-20 camp in Pohang are still under discussion, but previous pre-Olympic marine camp training involved rappelling courses and carrying 310-pound inflatable boats on their heads together.
• Some sports associations, including wrestling and breakdancing, have said they won't send their athletes to the marine camp because they have competitions when the training is scheduled.

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