Swimmer Park claims he is another victim of Choi
By Baek Byung-yeul
Swimmer Park Tae-hwan speaks to reporters in Tokyo, Monday. Park revealed how he was pressured not to participate in the Rio Summer Olympics by former Vice Minister of Culture and Sports Kim Chong. / Yonhap
Swimmer Park Tae-hwan said Monday that former sports vice minister Kim Chong urged him not to take part in this year’s Summer Olympics even though his every thought was about competing in Rio.
The 27-year-old 2008 Beijing Olympics champion was allegedly pressured by Kim, who is suspected of aiding Choi Soon-sil. Choi, a longtime friend of President Park Geun-hye, is suspected of interfering with state affairs and Kim allegedly assisted Choi to launch lucrative projects in sports.
“When I met with the former vice minister last May, he told me he would help me get sponsorships and a professorship at a university, but I did not pay much attention to what he said because all I was thinking about was that I wanted to go to the Olympics,” Park told reporters in Tokyo where he is currently competing at the Asian Swimming Championships.
At the four-day championships from Thursday to Sunday, Park proved his ability as he won gold medals in the 100, 200, 400 and 1,500-meter freestyle events and a bronze in the men’s 4X100-meter freestyle relay.
Park was suspended for 18 months by the International Swimming Federation (FINA) last year for testing positive for banned testosterone supplements in 2014.
Though his suspension ended in March this year, he remained ineligible for the national team as the Korean Olympic Committee (KOC) bans athletes who have been suspended for doping from representing the country for three years starting the day their international ban ends.
Disobeying the controversial KOC regulation, Park filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) which ruled in his favor in July. Park consequently participated in the Rio Olympics but failed to win any medals.
Prior to meeting with reporters on Monday, a source close to Park said the former vice minister of culture, sports and tourism told him to follow the KOC ruling and not attend the Summer Olympics. Though Park said there’s no excuse for his poor showing in the Olympics, he added that the meeting with Kim definitely influenced his performance there.
“The Olympics is the place where the best athletes in the world represent their countries. I had to be in top condition but after meeting with Kim I couldn’t gain control of my mental strength,” Park said. “I don’t want to make excuses for the results, though.”
Park said he is happy with his accomplishments in Tokyo and also said his next goal is to compete at the 2020 Summer Games.
“As many people are cheering for me, I will do my best to swim better. I want to compete at the Tokyo Olympics,” he said.