With great power comes great responsibility, and South Korean gymnast Yang Hak-seon may have taken this axiom too close to heart.
The reigning Olympic vault champion said Sunday he will pull out of all remaining events in artistic gymnastics after aggravating his leg injury at the ongoing Universiade, for which he is an honorary ambassador and whose cauldron he lit at the opening ceremony Friday.
Yang hardly gave himself a break, though, representing South Korea at a ceremony welcoming its delegation to the athletes' village Thursday. Later that day, he practiced amidst a constant string of journalists and fans who pestered him for autographs and selfies.
"Of course, they affect my training," he told Yonhap News Agency that day. "But I'm grateful for the attention because it's a privilege most people don't get."
Yang is also a native of Gwangju, the host city of the competition lying some 330 kilometers south of Seoul. He had said upon arriving here that he felt "right at home" and "at ease," though in retrospect he may not have entirely meant it.
All of this was a disaster in the making, as Yang failed to complete the floor exercise and withdrew from the team event Saturday.
"The decision was made for the world championships in October and the Olympics next year," Lim said. "Yang said he could compete after taking shots to ease his pain, but we had to protect the athlete. I am sure he's devastated."
Yang was advised to rest for the next six weeks, with an MRI expected to reveal the extent of his injury.
Yang will be treated at the athletes' village for the rest of the Universiade, Lim said. (Yonhap)
