ROK swimmer Park disqualified from 400m freestyle

LONDON - South Korean star swimmer Park Tae Hwan has to miss the chance to defend his men's 400-meter freestyle title at the London Olympic Games Saturday as he was disqualified for a false start in the heats.

"I don't know why I was disqualified, I will have to speak to my coach," said the defending champion, who clocked three minutes and 46.68 seconds.

Without Park, Chinese Sun Yang is now the favorite to win the gold in the final.

Sun finished the first in the heat in 3:45.07, while Peter Vanderkaay of the United States was second in 3:45.80.

"I'm satisfied with the race. I'm very disappointed for Park Tae Hwan," Sun said. "I was really looking forward to racing him in the final and now that won't happen. As for me, I'm happy with my race."

Another Chinese swimmer Hao Yun also make the final by a fifth-finish in 3:46.88.

"I feel OK, I cannot expect too highly of myself for the final but I wish I could get a medal because we don't have another potential competitor," said the 17-year-old.

Germany's Paul Biedermann, the world record holder for the event, missed out on the final after finishing 12th overall in 3:48.50.