Joy turned to despair for South Korea on Wednesday when their victory lap was cut short by news of their disqualification gifting China the Olympic gold in the women's short track 3,000 meters relay.
South Korea's skaters had already started waving flags in joy after crossing the line ahead of the rest of the field but a referee review decided Kim Min-jung had impeded during an exchange push with just a few laps remaining.
Cheers turned to tears as the inconsolable South Koreans rushed past reporters without stopping to explain their mistake and livid coach Choi Kwang-bok hammered his fists on a padded barrier in frustration and shouted at the referee.
He was angry that it was the same Australian official in charge, James Hewish, who had triggered outrage in South Korea when he disqualified Kim Dong-sung in the 1,500 final at the 2002 Games after he had crossed the line first.
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE61O1EJ20100225?type=sportsNews
Thursday, February 25
James Hewish
Joy turned to despair for South Korea on Wednesday when their victory lap was cut short by news of their disqualification gifting China the Olympic gold in the women's short track 3,000 meters relay.
South Korea's skaters had already started waving flags in joy after crossing the line ahead of the rest of the field but a referee review decided Kim Min-jung had impeded during an exchange push with just a few laps remaining.
Cheers turned to tears as the inconsolable South Koreans rushed past reporters without stopping to explain their mistake and livid coach Choi Kwang-bok hammered his fists on a padded barrier in frustration and shouted at the referee.
He was angry that it was the same Australian official in charge, James Hewish, who had triggered outrage in South Korea when he disqualified Kim Dong-sung in the 1,500 final at the 2002 Games after he had crossed the line first.
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE61O1EJ20100225?type=sportsNews
