S. Korean swimmer Park hopes Bolt learns from false start

By Yoo Jee-ho
DAEGU, Aug. 30 (Yonhap) -- South Korean swimming star Park Tae-hwan on Tuesday said he hoped Usain Bolt, the Jamaican sprinter recently disqualified at the World Championships in Athletics for a false start, can learn from his mistake.
Park attended the track and field competition at Daegu Stadium Tuesday in his capacity as a goodwill ambassador for the event. The Olympic gold medalist and a two-time world champion in the 400-meter freestyle, Park himself was disqualified in his Olympic debut in Athens in 2004 by jumping the starting gun. He said he was aware of Bolt's dismissal in the men's 100節? final on Sunday.
"I heard about Usain Bolt's false start, and the reason that I am here doing interviews is because I've had a similar experience," Park said. "I hope that he can learn from this, realize what sort of mistakes he made. We're in different sports, but I hope he takes a lot from this experience and gets good results at the London Olympics (next year)."
Park was merely 14 at the Athens Olympics, when he was disqualified for the false start. But three years later, he won his first world title in the 400節? freestyle. Then in 2008 in Beijing, Park won the gold in the 400節? freestyle and silver in the 200節? freestyle, becoming the first South Korean to win an Olympic swimming medal. He won his second world title in the 400m earlier this year.
Park said he hoped to see better performances from local athletes. South Korea has never won a medal at an athletics world championships and has struggled on home soil so far.
"It was my first time watching track and field in person, and I could tell how hard these athletes work," Park said. "Since this event is being held in Korea, I hope to see our athletes fight for medals in the final. Hopefully, they will do even better at the next championships."
jeeho@yna.co.kr