South Korea's swimming prodigy Park Tae Hwan had a maiden show at the Olympic aquatic facility?in Beijing?on Sunday, readying himself for an ambitious target of breaking the world record in 400 meters freestyle.
Park flew in Beijing with some 15 other swimmers early on Sunday, and hurried to test water at the Water Cube in the afternoon. "The facility is excellent and easy to get around," he said after one and a half hours of training.
The Seoul native, yet to turn 19, has announced a daunting target to win the 400 meters freestyle gold and set a new world record. The current world record is held by the retired Australian swimmer Ian Thorpe, at three minutes and 40.08 seconds.
Park will swim in three events in the Games: 200m, 400m and 1500m freestyle. He claimed all three golds in the events at the 2006 Asian Games.
"I'm primarily aiming at the 400 meters now, but also doing my best in 200 and 1500 meter free," he told reporters.
Dubbed the "national little brother" by his fans, Park is one of country's biggest medal hopes. He caused a major sensation when he beat Australian defending champion Grant Hackett in the 400 meters free at the 2007 World Championships in Melbourne. In April this year, he set a new Asian record of 3:43.59 in the same event.
Seemingly upbeat and relaxed, Park followed a written schedule in the brief training.
"You can see for yourself that he was in better state than any other swimmers on the team in the first training session here," said his coach Noh Min Sang.
(Xinhua News Agency August 4, 2008)