Wednesday August 1, 2012
SOUTH Korea star Park Tae-hwan has backed China’s Sun Yang to lead his country’s swimming revolution after the Chinese star claimed his second medal of the Olympic Games on Monday.
After winning the 400m freestyle gold on Saturday as Tae-hwan claimed silver, the 20-year-old Sun Yang was joint second on Monday night alongside his South Korean idol as both swam 1:4.93 behind French gold medallist Yannick Agnel.
With Chinese swimmers having won five medals after just three days of the swimming programme, which finishes on Saturday, Tae-hwan is backing Sun Yang to build on his success in the 1500m freestyle heats on Friday.
“Of course, when you get older it is difficult. I am the one who has to work hard to compete,” said the 22-year-old Tae-hwan, who won the 400m freestyle title in Beijing four years ago.
“If Sun Yang thinks I am a hero, well, I think he is a hero of China.” — AFP