Athlete's Career at Stake
Appeal Process Underway with Expert Support
Sejong City boxing prospect TaeRang Park showed doping symptoms and was suspended from athlete eligibility for four years by the Korea Anti-Doping Agency. Park's side is currently undergoing the appeal process.
TaeRang Park from Sejong City, who won the gold medal in the boxing event at the 54th National Youth Sports Festival, has been at the center of controversy after showing doping symptoms, and has now been handed a four-year suspension by the Korea Anti-Doping Agency.
Recently, the Korea Anti-Doping Agency sent an official notice to Park TaeRang stating that violations of Article 13, Clause 1 and Article 13, Clause 2 of the regulations had been recognized, and a four-year suspension was imposed. According to the notice, Park will be banned from participating in any competitions or activities approved or organized by organizations affiliated with the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee, their member organizations, or clubs, as well as any other member organizations, until the end of June 2029. He is also prohibited from competing in any events approved or organized by professional leagues or by organizers of international or domestic competitions.
The Sanctions Committee within the Anti-Doping Agency stated that the prohibited substance detected in the athlete's sample was a non-specified substance. The committee explained its decision based on several points: ▲ The athlete is required to prove that the violation was not intentional, but Park has failed to properly claim or prove the route of entry of the substance; ▲ Despite having received anti-doping education multiple times, Park never checked via the Korea Anti-Doping Agency's website or app whether any substances entering his body were prohibited; ▲ Park has only argued that he was unaware of the prohibited substance or did not take it, but has failed to provide any convincing arguments or evidence as to why the violation was not intentional. Based on these points, the committee concluded that Park did not sufficiently prove the violation was unintentional.
During the hearing, Park's side argued for a reduction in the suspension period. However, the committee noted that a reduction can only be considered if the athlete proves the violation was unintentional, and since Park failed to do so, his secondary argument was dismissed without further consideration. If this decision is accepted, all results achieved by Park, including medals, points, and prize money, will be forfeited and all related outcomes will be nullified.
However, Park's side is strongly contesting the decision and is currently undergoing the internal appeal process within the committee. If necessary, they are also considering taking legal action.
Kim Jungwan, former professional boxing champion and Park's coach, said, "We have submitted all documents, including records of all medications the athlete has taken, to the (Anti-Doping) Committee. Imposing a four-year suspension on a young athlete who has worked so hard is an extremely harsh decision that robs him of his talent." He added, "The committee notified us of the doping result, so we took all possible follow-up measures and went through the hearing process, but it is frustrating that they claim we failed to prove the lack of intent."
An appeal process regarding Park's suspension is expected to proceed, and attention is focused on whether the suspension period will be reduced or maintained.
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