Park Tae-hwan To Be Kept Out Of Rio Olympics

June 18, 2011; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Tae-Hwan Park (KOR) prepares before the men's 200-meter freestyle finals in the Santa Clara international grand prix at the George F. Haines International Swim Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Photo Courtesy: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

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Park Tae-hwan will not be allowed to compete in the Rio Olympics, according to news from Inside the Games.

Prior to the 2014 Asian Games, Park tested positive for testosterone and was handed an 18 month ban. In a ruling this week, the Korean Olympic Committee has decided to enforce their policy, which prevents athletes testing positive for banned substances from representing the national team for an additional three years.

Park’s suspension ended on March 2, and upholding the additional three year suspension makes him ineligible to compete in Rio this summer. Park had hoped the Korean Olympic Committee would change their ruling, as it has been the subject of significant controversy.

In 2008 the International Olympic committee instituted the “Osaka Rule,” which prevented athletes with a serious doping conviction from participating in the next Olympics. In 2011, a ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport got rid of the rule, which essentially punished athletes twice. Park had hoped that the Korean Olympic Committee would see the similarity to its own regulation and rule similarly. However, the Committee has chosen to uphold its harsher stance on doping offenses.

Park has continually maintained his innocence, though his doctor has faced charges.

The 26 year old is the only Olympic swimming medalist in South Korean history after he won gold in the 400 freestyle and silver in the 200 freestyle at the 2008 Beijing Games. In London in 2012, Park won silver in the 200 and 400 freestyles. Park will be eligible for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, as his ban will expire on March 2, 2019.

South Korea’s National Team trials will begin on April 25.

Full Inside the Games article.

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Michele Dantas

7 years ago

Any athlete in any sport who has tested for banned substance that is not the result of medical needs should NEVER be allowed to participate in any Olympics. Their behavior disqualifies them of this honor.
Korea should be commended on making this difficult decision.

Mindy Dougherty

7 years ago

Rules across the board..no matter the country..why can Chinese athletes get a warning? Where is the governing body in this?

Khuong Ma

7 years ago

Wtf let that man swim

Jackie Sleigh Hayselden

7 years ago

Reply to Khuong Ma

Why?

Michael Heather

7 years ago

The Chinese have 5000 years experience making, bending, breaking or ignoring rules. They invented bureaucracy and are totally the boss of obfuscation.