Park Tae-hwan begs for Rio Olympics chance

Omnisports

May 2, 2016 9:06 AM

Banned swimmer Park Tae-hwan got on his knees and begged the Korean Olympic Committee to let him compete at the Rio Games.

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Park Tae-hwan begged the Korean Olympic Committee (KOC) to lift his ban and allow him to compete at the Rio Games later this year.

A 400-metre freestyle gold medallist at the 2008 Games in Beijing, Park was given an 18-month ban back in 2014 by swimming's governing body FINA after testing positive for testosterone.

That suspension expired in March, but under KOC rules Park must wait three years before he can be considered for selection again.

Park competed in the national trials last week, winning the 100m, 200m, 400m and 1,500m freestyle events, but the KOC remains unmoved in its stance.

"As a swimmer, I feel it is most important to speak through records and results in the pool," said Park, who got down on his hands and knees during a media conference in Incheon on Monday.

"I hope that I am given a chance so that I can deliver a good performance for the people and contribute to the nation."

Omnisports