“We have decided on the heavy punishment of permanent expulsion after we discussed the gravity of the issue following statements from the attacker,” Kim Sang-kyum, the chairman of the committee, told a press conference.

“The coach in question has admitted ... He stated that Shim did not respect his opinion and that he hit her to help enhance her performance,” he added.  

The coach can file an appeal with the athletes‘ panel of the Korean Sport and Olympic Committee within a week of the decision.

Once expelled, a coach will be banned from any KSU-affiliated institutions.

Shim, 20, won a gold medal in the 3,000-meter relay, a silver in the 1,500m and a bronze in the 1,000m at the 2014 Sochi Olympics.