One week after Park Tae-hwan’s doping scandal emerged, Korea’s swimming community has united in an attempt to protect the Olympic star.
Officials from the Korean Olympic Committee, Korea Swimming Federation (KSF) and Park’s agency ― Team GMP ― held a closed meeting on Jan. 30 to discuss ways to help the 25-year-old, who has a hearing at the International Swimming Federation (FINA) set for Feb. 27.
Although very little has been said of the meeting so far, experts say the parties likely focused on reducing any disciplinary procedures against Park, rather than evading punishment altogether.
Local media has carried stories presenting Park as a victim, but it is unlikely FINA will agree with that assessment.
On Jan. 20, Park filed a suit against the clinic where he was given a shot of Nebido containing the banned substance testosterone last July. It was announced that Park had tested positive in FINA doping tests on Jan. 26; the swimmer claiming he did not know the shot contained the banned substance.
Experts say that although the clinic was liable, Park will also likely be held responsible for neglecting an athlete’s responsibility of being cautious with any medicine they take.
Read The Korea Times
