Olympic Swimmer Park Tae-hwan Reveals Mother's Battle with Cancer and Family Devotion

Olympic swimming legend Park Tae-hwan opened up about his mother's battle with cancer and expressed his deep affection for his family on the recent episode of KBS 2TV's 'Pyeonstorang'.

The episode, aired on the 13th, showcased Park Tae-hwan's candid story. Known for his relentless pursuit of breaking records, Park has dedicated nearly 30 years to his sport. Behind his monumental achievements lies his intense effort and the unwavering support of his family.

During the episode, Park had a heartfelt phone conversation with his sister. She expressed her concern, saying, "I've seen you miss out on ordinary experiences because of your dedication to swimming. It's sad. You've spent more time in the water than on land. Now, seeing you enjoy simple pleasures after retirement makes me happy. I hope you enjoy life."

Park Tae-hwan's life has indeed been intense. Starting swimming at the age of five, he endured grueling training sessions from 4 AM to 10 PM daily. Reflecting on his journey, Park said, "It felt like I was only ever pushed without any rewards. There were times I wanted to quit. Swimming is a solitary sport, and staring at the pool floor every day was tough." Yet, his family kept him going.

Park revealed, "My mother battled cancer. My motivation was not just to be the best swimmer in Korea but to do everything I could for my family. No matter how exhausted I felt, I realized my pain was nothing compared to my mother's." His happiest moment was not winning a gold medal but gifting a house to his parents.

Park's heartfelt revelations surprised everyone, earning him the title of a 'national hero and devoted son'. His records are even more meaningful, knowing the personal struggles he overcame.

The episode also featured Ki Eun-se spending quality time with her brother, who went out of his way to support her, even preparing a 10-hour barbecue pulled pork. Ki Eun-se expressed her gratitude, saying, "He never says 'no' to me and is always there when I need him. He's my rock."

The show concluded with a 'steamed dish' competition among Jang Shin-young, Ki Eun-se, and Park Tae-hwan. Jang Shin-young won with her mother's perilla seed chicken stew recipe, while Ki Eun-se and Park Tae-hwan presented coriander bone stew and upgraded boiled pork, respectively.

Reported by Kim Ji-won, TenAsia bella@tenasia.co.kr