Tae-Hwan PARK

Only the second ever South Korean swimmer to reach an Olympic final (after Nam Yu-Seon), Park Tae-Hwan beame the first to win an Olympic medal, claiming gold in the 400 freestyle, and silver in the 200 freestyle, behind the invincible Michael Phelps. His medals did not come as a complete surprise, as Park had won the world title in the 400 free in 2007 – again as the first Korean ever. He would do so again in 2011, while earning a bronze in the 200 metres in 2007. Also a top performer in regional competitions, Park has won three titles at the Pan Pacific Championships (twice in the 400 free), and six in the Asian Games, earning seven medals total in the 2006 edition, and five in 2010. A popular figure in South Korea, Park Tae-Hwan frequently is the subject of rumors, and he has been linked to Korean pop stars Dana, Sunye as well as figure skater Kim Yeon-A. In 2015 he was banned for 18 months after he tested positive for testosterone in September 2014.