park wonbin, twenty2, cis male, he/him. ─── 3, 2, 1 — action! everyone, we’re here at jincheon national training center, and this time i have with me our national athletics team’s very own kwon hayan. you might know them for placing second for 100m at the 2023 asian athletic championships, but if not, don’t worry. they’re here to field all your burning questions. let’s dive right in.
thanks for joining us today. so, tell me…
how does it feel to have been selected for the national team?
“intimidating.” hayan’s smile is wide but there is a nervous tremble to his voice. “a dream come true, please don’t misunderstand, it feels like everything i’ve worked towards as an athlete is being acknowledged but—” he swallows. “intimidating. i want to do the trust that is being extended to me justice. i don’t want to grow complacent, and—” he pauses when he stumbles over his words and takes a moment to inhale, slowly, controlled, as if trying to soothe himself. “it’s a great honour, most of all. and i just really hope i’m worthy of it.”
what strengths do you believe you bring to the national team?
“i’m open-minded, i’d like to think. i’m willing to learn how to do things differently. i– i think that’s important in a team setting.” he scratches his cheek as if uncomfortable with the notion of praising himself too much. “also, you know. i run really fast.”
amazing. addressing a sensitive issue now: the rumors on “105fm.” could you shed some light on any concerning rumors you’ve heard about yourself?
“rumours? i—” the words get stuck in hayan’s throat and his realisation is obvious by the gradual change in his expression. “oh, um— i try not to look into these matters too much. i’d prefer for my actions to speak for themselves.” this time, his smile is strained. “i’m glad the allegations claiming i’m not actually my father’s child but instead related to a member of the national olympic committee were so easily disproven, they were pretty ridiculous.” by his hesitation it’s obvious that he wants to add something, but seems to change his mind last second. “i know that it’s said that if you have nothing to hide you have nothing to fear from gossip, but these sorts of incidents are really intrusive. i hope people think twice before spreading rumours they read online.”
… and, i’m sure your supporters want to hear your thoughts.
how do you stay focused on your training amidst the distractions caused by 105fm?
“i still have to prove myself to the rest of the team, you know?” hayan plays his words off as a cheeky joke but the stiffness of his shoulders betrays a certain truth to them. “i try to remind myself that if i let 105fm derail me i probably wasn’t made for this opportunity in the first place, and that’s the sort of thing my pride doesn’t take well to.” he laughs sheepishly.
i see, i see. i’m afraid that’s all the time we have. thank you so much, congratulations, and best of luck to you and your team. to wrap things up, can you give us a quote?
