Wanting to Get Out of U.S. and Return to Seoul

Kim Dong-Sung (22, Korea Univ.) was sweating as he finished the match.

Salt Lake Winter Olympics should have been rewarding for his efforts so far. But Kim, still in shock of the recent nightmares, failed to advance to the finals as he lost to Canada’s Marc Gagnon by 0.008 second in the 500m semifinals. He is to return home without a single medal.

It is very disappointing for the ace of the Korean team, who was expected to be a certain gold medallist. He never responded to an interview, but as all matches finished, he emptied out his heart.

- How was the race today?

"The ice was too soft that my right blade kept getting stuck. I fell behind others because I was leading a negative game minding the blade. I just want to get out of the U.S. and return to Seoul."

- Everything is over now…

"I think it’s unfair. I just want to forget about it and take a break. Things went bad from the beginning (the 1500m semifinals when he tripped over China’s Li Jiajun). I felt like quitting the sport after that race."

- What sort of thoughts crossed your mind when you received the `Cross Track` decision in the 1000m finals?

"I’ve been skating for 7 years, and never received the call even when my body swung harder. It’s my style to run along the inner course, and it’s totally unfair. I think I was on disadvantage since the race was in the U.S."

- In Korea, there is a hot issue over whether you threw the national flag.

"I didn’t throw it. I was upset when Anton Ohno was announced as the winner instead of me. I lowered the flag, and it got caught in the blade. So I only put it away."

- I heard you cried a lot that day…

"I don’t remember how much I cried. I went online next day, and made a complaint in my website. I couldn’t even concentrate on training the next day. It was only in the second day that I assured myself to do best for 500m."

- Did you hear the news of Korean fans getting into rage?

"I’ve come to realize that so many people had interests and concerns in Short Track. I thought only a few people liked the sport before. I hope more fans will take interests in Short Track through this incident."

- Will you participate in the next Olympics?

"I thought I should quit every time, but I’ve come this far. I think I still have love for skating. I am going to think about my future little more. Tomorrow (25th) is my commencement, but I heard my mother is going instead of me."

Kim Dong-Sung looked at his coach Jun Myeong-Kyu next to him, and made a joke to brighten the mood after so long, "I should go to that position in 2006 and 2010."

ssoo@donga.com