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Shin Jae-hwan, a gold medalist in gymnastics at the Tokyo Olympics, who caused a scandal for drinking and assault, apologized personally.
He explained that it was because he had severe panic disorder.
Correspondent Kwon Jong-oh.
<Reporter> Shin
Jae-hwan, who emerged as a star to succeed Yang Hak-seon by winning a surprise gold medal in the men's vault at the Tokyo Olympics, shocked a taxi driver while intoxicated in December last year.
Shin Jae-hwan, who was drunk with the glory of the Olympics, confessed that he became dependent on alcohol as his panic disorder worsened after being eliminated from the national championship.
[Shin Jae-hwan / Tokyo Olympic Gold Medalist: I feel like I am being watched, I am choked, I want to get out of the place quickly, I want to run away, and I think it is a great sin that should never be forgotten and a burden I will carry with me for the rest of my life. .]
Shin Jae-hwan, who was criticized by public opinion for trying to appear in the national representative competition without receiving any disciplinary action in April, was belatedly suspended for two months.
And he made his first public apology.
[Shin Jae-hwan / Tokyo Olympic Gold Medalist: Once again, I sincerely apologize to those who must have been very disappointed, and I am still very sorry and regretful.]
As for the reason for the delay, I said this.
[Shin Jae-hwan / Tokyo Olympic Gold Medalist: It was scary.
I haven't looked at the camera for three or four months.
He rarely went out and was just busy living in hiding, and in a way, it was an escape from reality.]
Shin Jae-hwan, who plans to play again for next year's Hangzhou Asian Games, is scheduled to participate in the National Sports Festival in October.
(Video coverage: Lee Byung-joo, editing: Woo-jung Woo)