Viktor Ahn 1, Korea 0

Viktor Ahn of Russia celebrates placing third in the men’s 1500m short track speedskating final at the Iceberg Skating Palace during the 2014 Winter Olympics, Monday, Feb. 10, 2014, in Sochi, Russia. (AP)

Korea’s Sin Da-woon, left, crashes and his compatriot Lee Han-bin goes down with him in a men’s 1500-meter short-track speed skating semifinal at the Iceberg Skating Palace in Sochi, Russia, Monday. Lee advanced to the final after a review on the grounds that he was interfered with during the semifinal race, but finished a disappointing sixth. (AP/Yonhap)

The much-anticipated Viktor Ahn versus Korea showdown almost didn’t happen. And when it did, their drama proved merely a foil to the greatness of Canada’s Charles Hamelin, who won his third-career Olympic gold in the men’s 1,500-meter event at the Sochi Olympics on Monday.

Ahn, a three-time gold winner for Korea, trailed Hamelin and China’s Han Tianyu for the bronze, hauling in his first medal for his adopted homeland Russia, which had previously never won a medal in short track.

Hamelin, who took gold in the men’s 500 meters and 3,000-meter relay at the 2010 Vancouver Games, was considered a surprise winner as the 1,500 meters has never been the best event for the 29-year-old. Now, the Quebec native is favored to win multiple medals in Sochi.

The final at the Iceberg Skating Palace was deprived of some excitement after Korean ace Sin Da-woon, who had been considered a contender for the podium, crashed out in the semifinal. In falling, he also took out his compatriot Lee Han-bin, who advanced to the final after judges agreed he was interfered with during the race.

Canada’s Charles Hamelin, left, gestures as he crosses the finish line ahead of Russia’s Viktor Ahn in the men’s 1500-meter final. (AP/Yonhap)

The 26-year-old Lee, the only Korean representative in the final, didn’t factor in the race, doing a poor job in jostling for position and finishing sixth in a field of seven.

Hamelin, who maintained the lead through most of the race, finished in two minutes and 14.985 seconds, while Han and Ahn needed a photo inspection to determine their places on the podium.

The defection of Ahn, who won three gold medals for Korea in the 2006 Turin Games, has been one of the interesting storylines in the Sochi Olympics. It’s likely that he will continue to be pitted against the athletes of his native country in the men’s 500 meters, 1,000 meters and 5,000-meter relay

Ahn switched his allegiance after the Korea Skating Union left him off the country’s team for the 2010 Vancouver Games, a decision the skater suspected had something to do with his deteriorated relationship with leaders of the sporting body.

Korea’s women short-track skaters had a much better night than their male compatriots.

Shim Suk-hee, Park Seung-hi and Kim A-lang coasted on their way in reaching the women’s 500-meter quarterfinals. The ladies also secured their place in the finals of the 3,000-meter relay, which takes place next week.

Shim, 17, Team Korea’s youngest member and brightest medal prospect, displayed good form in qualifying for the 500-meter quarterfinals, finishing second in Heat 8 with a time of 44.197 seconds, trailing Canada’s Valerie Maltais’ 44.093 seconds.

Park also secured her spot by finishing first in Heat 4 with 44.180 seconds, while Kim clocked in 43.919 seconds, the second best in Heat 1 after China’s Liu Qiuhong, who came in 43.542 seconds.

Shim, the current world record holder of the 1,000-meter event with 1:26.661 seconds, won three gold medals at the 2012 World Cup in Calgary. She is also considered a contender in the 500 meters and 1,500 meters, as well as the 3,000-meter relay.

The women’s quarterfinals, semifinals and finals will be held at the same venue on Thursday.

Shim was integral in the 3,000-meter relay semifinal.

Park broke the ice for Korea and positioned herself in third place, which Shim maintained until Kong Sang-jeong took over and settled in second place behind Canadian skaters. With 20 laps left, Shim whisked past a Canadian skater and maintained first place until the end of the race.

Shim showed her speed by widening the gap between first and second in the last two laps and crossed the finish line in 4:08.052, 0.819 seconds faster than the Canadian team.

Canada clocked 4:08.871, and qualified for the finals. Russia placed third and Hungary settled for fourth place. The finals will take place on Feb. 18 at 7:54 p.m.

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One Comment

1. A Korean wins for Russia

   February 11, 2014 at 12:36 PM

   Passport shopping athlete

   Reply