How South Korean Swimming Association Revived Sport After Doping Scandal Rocked Top Star

22-year-old Kim Woo-min etched his name in the history books on July 28th, 2024. Woo-min ended a 12-year medal drought and, more importantly, became only the second swimmer from South Korea to win an Olympic medal. Kim Woo-min shouldered the hopes and dreams of the South Korean swimming community as he made it to the finals of the 400m freestyle.

Although he was the seventh fastest swimmer (overall) in the heats, Woo-min greatly improved in the finals. In fact, the young swimmer nearly bagged the silver medal with 3:42.50. Australia’s Elijah Winnington finished just 0.29s ahead of South Korea’s star swimmer. However, the nation had to go through a trial of fire before finding its way to the podium.

Kim Woo-min won bronze in the same race that South Korean swimming legend Park Tae-hwan won gold in Beijing. In 2008, Park Tae-hwan became a national hero, after being the South Korean swimmer to win an Olympic medal, and the first gold medal. The Asian also earned a silver in the 200m freestyle and went on to replicate his success, winning two silvers in London 2012.

Tae-hwan put the South Korean swimming team on the map. He competed and earned medals alongside legends such as Michael Phelps. However, the celebrity swimmer’s career imploded in 2014 when he failed a drug test, earning an 18-month ban. It turned out that the athlete’s doctor was unfamiliar with doping rules.

She administered the banned substance testosterone through an injection without the swimmer’s knowledge. However, the damage was done, and although Park Tae-hwan competed in Rio 2016, he couldn’t make a dent. After 2018, the 34-year-old transitioned to acting, but left a lasting legacy for young South Korean swimmers.

A new generation powering South Korean swimming

Yang Jae-hoon, Kim Woo-min, Hwang Sun-woo, and Lee Ho-joon are the young swimmers who are treading on Park Tae-hwan’s path. Besides Woo-min’s success in the 400m freestyle, the simmers nearly made it into the top five in the first-ever 4x200m relay final appearance. However, their return to the elite stage has been nearly a decade in the making.

The same team of swimmers didn’t manage to reach the 4x200m free finals in Tokyo. Aided by the South Korean Swimming Federation and their NOC, the swimmers made massive strides. In February 2024, Woo-min and 21-year-old Hwang Sun-woo led South Korea to a record medal haul at the World Championships. The 22-year-old Olympic medalist earned gold in the 400m free.

Meanwhile, Hwang Sun-woo won gold in the 200m free at the World Championships. The four simmers also earned South Korea’s first-ever World Championships relay medal in Doha. So it’s no surprise that the group of talented swimmers have found success in Paris. While the swimmers are yet to match the individual brilliance of Park Tae-hwan, this may just be the beginning of the South Korean swimming team’s glory days.