Park Tae-Hwan Returns To Training Under Former Coach Roh Min-Sang

Korean swimmer Park Tae-Hawn has officially reunited with his former coach, Roh Min-Sang, at the Olympic Swimming Pool in Seoul.

Yesterday was the first time Park has trained under Roh since the 2010 Asian Games. Park told the Yonhap News Agency that it has been more than five months since he last swam in a long course meter pool due to a legal battle surrounding his positive doping test. Park is currently in the middle of a legal battle with the doctor who is only known by the surname Kim. Said doctor was the one involved in the injection of the banned substance. Park’s team is claiming that the doctor committed professional negligence by failing to inform Park of the contents within the syringe. Park is set to testify against the doctor in court tomorrow, June 4th.

“He has to get loose, and I will increase the intensity of his program depending on how he responds,” said Roh. “Now, he’s just trying to get used to being in the water. He’s such an experienced fellow and should find his groove fairly soon.”

Due to his 18 month suspension for a positive doping test, Park is not allowed to return to the National Training Center where he’s spent many years preparing for international competition. The issue lies within the details of FINA’s anti-doping policy which states that any athlete serving a suspension, “cannot participate in a training camp, exhibition or practice organized by his or her Member Federation or a club which is a member of that Member Federation or FINA or which is funded by a governmental agency.” The Korean Swimming Federation doesn’t have any standing with the pool itself. By all FINA regulations, he is allowed to swim at the Seoul Olympic Swimming Pool facility with their permission.

“I hadn’t worked with Coach Roh for a long time but it’s not like we need to make adjustments with each other. I don’t feel awkward at all in his presence because I am so familiar with him. He’s been helping me a lot.” – Park

“I don’t know if I will have the opportunity (to compete) at the national team trials next year,” Park said. “But even if I don’t get the chance, I will still shoot for the trials.”