Park Tae-hwan eliminated in 100m freestyle heats

RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug. 9 (Yonhap) — South Korean swimmer Park Tae-hwan was eliminated in the 100m freestyle heats at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics Tuesday, the third event in which he failed to reach the final here.

Park finished tied for 32nd among 59 swimmers at 49.24 seconds at Olympic Aquatics Stadium. He was fourth in his heat of eight swimmers.

The top 16 qualifiers advanced to the semifinals.

Park entered Rio with the 51st fastest-time in the 100m free with 48.91 seconds. His personal best is 48.42, set in February 2014.

Earlier in Rio, Park finished 10th in heats for the 400m freestyle — his main event with an Olympic gold and two world championships — and 29th in heats for the 200m freestyle.

Park is scheduled to race in the 1,500m freestyle on Saturday, but he said after Tuesday’s race that he’s mulling withdrawing from the long distance event, citing his lack of preparation.

Responding to speculation that Rio could be his last Olympics, Park also said he’d like another chance at redemption.

“Four years may seem like a long time, but I feel like it will come soon enough,” said the 2008 Olympic 400m freestyle champion. “Once I decide I want to go for Tokyo, then I will prepare for it with everything I have. Tokyo is much closer to home than Rio, and I think I can expect myself to do well there.”

South Korean swimmer Park Tae-hwan checks his time after completing his heat for the 100m freestyle at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics on Aug. 9, 2016.