Skaters face weighty expectations
Published: 20 Jan. 2010, 20:43
Since Kim broke that barrier, Korea has earned another 17 medals in short-track races - the only event in which it has won medals at the Winter Olympics.
With great expectations come great burdens, and now pressure is building for the men competing in the short-track events at the Winter Games in Vancouver, Canada, next month.
The veterans on the squad, Lee Ho-suk and Sung Si-bak, have a lot to live up to.
Lee Ho-suk, left, and Sung Si-bak take a break from their training to strike a pose for the camera. By Lim Hyun-dong
“Ahn Hyun-soo’s technique was so far ahead that I could not catch up to him,” Lee remembered.
But this year, Ahn failed to qualify for the national team due to injuries, and Lee has become the ace of the men’s squad. He has his sights set on the gold this time around.
“I was content with my silver medal in the 1,500-meter because I was excused from mandatory military service for the effort. I am now targeting gold medals in both the 1,000- and 1,500-meter events,” Lee said.
In what could be a preview of things to come, Lee placed first in both the 1,000- and 1,500-meter and relay events at the International Skating Union World Cup event in Goyang, Gyeonggi, last Sept. 24-27.
If he can repeat that performance in Vancouver, it will be a replay of what Ahn achieved in Torino four years ago.
“I don’t plan to focus too much on placing first. It can actually work against you,” said Lee. “I will try to work toward my own goals regardless of what Ahn has achieved in the past.”
Sung has more to prove in Vancouver. Four years ago, he failed to make the final cut and had to watch his fellow skaters on television.
It was a crushing experience, and Sung contemplated stepping away from the sport, even pondering studying abroad.
“I came to the conclusion at the time that I needed to finish what I had started,” recalled Sung.
With his eyes on the Vancouver Olympics, Sung worked toward his goal and finally made the national team last April.
“It was difficult to watch the Torino games on television. All I could think of at the time was making the national team,” said Sung.
It will not be easy for Sung to place first in the 500-meter event. The sprint requires an explosive start, and Korean skaters have not fared well in the event. Chae is the lone Korean to place first in the 500 meter race.
“The only reason Korea has not fared well at the 500-meter event is because our top skaters chose to compete in the 1,000- and 1,500-meter events in the past. Just like the 100-meter sprint is the jewel of Summer Games track events, the 500-meter event is the biggest in short-track. It’s what I long to win most,” said Sung.
“Sung has a great burst of speed off the starting line, and it’s not a stretch to expect a gold medal from him next month,” said the United States short-track head coach, Chun Jae-soo.
With the Winter Olympics less than a month away, Lee and Sung both agreed their teammates are their biggest competitors.
“We fear Korean skaters the most. All members of the short track team are capable of winning a medal,” said Sung.
By On Nu-ri [[email protected]]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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