Gymnast Son Yeon-jae denies Park Tae-hwan rumors

Son Yeon-jae, left, and Park Tae-hwan / Yonhap

Rhythmic gymnast Son Yeon-jae, 20, on Monday denied rumors that she is dating star swimmer Park Tae-hwan, who is four years her senior.

Appearing on SBS’s “Healing Camp,” Son said that Park is just her close friend. She said they first met at the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games, and have been friends since.

The rumors began swirling at the 2014 Incheon Asian Games, which wrapped up earlier this month, when Park was sighted cheering for Son during a competition.

But Son said simply respects Park as a mentor.

Son, who claimed the nation’s first Asiad gold in her sport, currently attends Yonsei University.