US Skater’s Olympic Medal Bid Fails

American speed skating star Apolo Anton Ohno suffered a disappointing end to his bid for an Olympic medal on February 12.

He slipped trying to catch a Chinese skater in the 1,500-meter short-track men’s speed skating semi-final, which cost him a trip to the finals.

Ono gained notoriety in Korea at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics for what some say was an “overreaction” that made it look like Korea’s Kim Dong-sung blocked his passing attempt, resulting in the Korean skater’s disqualification.

After his defeat on that day, Ono said, “Today’s result does not change what happened four years ago. I am still the best skater and an Olympic champion.”

Regarding the cause of his slip, he said, “I lost my balance trying to pass China’s Li Ye in the last lap and his buttocks hit my left shoulder.”