ID :
201835
Wed, 08/17/2011 - 10:53
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/201835
The shortlink copeid
S. Korean short tracker Ahn said to seek Russian citizenship
(ATTN: UPDATES with Ahn's comments in paras 6-9)
By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, Aug. 17 (Yonhap) -- Ahn Hyun-soo, a three-time Olympic short track champion for South Korea currently training in Moscow, is seeking Russian citizenship so he can represent the country at the next Winter Olympics, the Russian Skating Union (RSU) said Wednesday.
In a statement, the RSU said it has asked the presidential citizenship agency to grant Ahn Russian citizenship and make him eligible to perform for Russia at the 2014 Winter Olympics in the Russian town of Sochi.
"We talked a lot with Ahn about his decision to perform for Russia and discussed all the slightest details," RSU President Alexei Kravtsov was quoted as saying. "He renounced his Korean citizenship and decided to put his faith in Russia."
Kravtosv added he was hoping Ahn would get his Russian passport by October. But the skater's father, Ahn Ki-won, told Yonhap News Agency that nothing is yet set in stone.
"It has not been decided that he will get his citizenship, but the Russian union did ask him first," the senior Ahn said. "And I think Hyun-soo may have replied positively."
In a message on his personal Web site, Ahn Hyun-soo said he had first believed he could retain dual citizenships for Russia and South Korea. But under law, Koreans who voluntarily apply for a foreign citizenship must renounce their Korean citizenship.
"I hadn't checked those fine details," Ahn wrote. "I once said I wasn't going to naturalize because I thought I could keep both passports."
He explained that he wanted to keep competing in a better and more comfortable environment.
"I think there is a great deal of responsibility that comes with a decision like this," he said. "I understand some people may not approve of my decision but I am prepared (for criticism). I want to work hard for the Olympics so I won't regret this move."
Ahn is one of the most decorated South Korean winter sports athletes. He swept up three gold medals along with a bronze medal at the 2006 Torino Winter Olympics, and won five straight world titles from 2003 to 2007.
Ahn has been training in Russia since June this year to revive his career. In 2008, he suffered a career-threatening knee injury, and underwent four operations in 15 months. He later missed qualifying for the national team for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics.
In another blow, his semi-professional team at Seongnam City Hall folded last year on financial troubles, leaving Ahn to train alone.
"In Korea, Hyun-soo had no support and was actually ostracized," the skater's father said. "He's been deeply hurt over such difficult times."
Ahn Hyun-soo once said his goal was to make a triumphant comeback at the 2014 Winter Olympics. Before leaving for Moscow in June, he said he planned to enter the South Korean national team trials next year.
Jang Kwon-ok, a South Korean national, coaches for the Russian national team. But Ahn Ki-won has insisted Jang's presence has nothing to do with Hyun-soo's move to Moscow.
Though strong in Winter Olympics, Russia has never won an Olympic short track gold medal. South Korea leads the all-time short track medal tally with 19 gold medals and 37 overall.
By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, Aug. 17 (Yonhap) -- Ahn Hyun-soo, a three-time Olympic short track champion for South Korea currently training in Moscow, is seeking Russian citizenship so he can represent the country at the next Winter Olympics, the Russian Skating Union (RSU) said Wednesday.
In a statement, the RSU said it has asked the presidential citizenship agency to grant Ahn Russian citizenship and make him eligible to perform for Russia at the 2014 Winter Olympics in the Russian town of Sochi.
"We talked a lot with Ahn about his decision to perform for Russia and discussed all the slightest details," RSU President Alexei Kravtsov was quoted as saying. "He renounced his Korean citizenship and decided to put his faith in Russia."
Kravtosv added he was hoping Ahn would get his Russian passport by October. But the skater's father, Ahn Ki-won, told Yonhap News Agency that nothing is yet set in stone.
"It has not been decided that he will get his citizenship, but the Russian union did ask him first," the senior Ahn said. "And I think Hyun-soo may have replied positively."
In a message on his personal Web site, Ahn Hyun-soo said he had first believed he could retain dual citizenships for Russia and South Korea. But under law, Koreans who voluntarily apply for a foreign citizenship must renounce their Korean citizenship.
"I hadn't checked those fine details," Ahn wrote. "I once said I wasn't going to naturalize because I thought I could keep both passports."
He explained that he wanted to keep competing in a better and more comfortable environment.
"I think there is a great deal of responsibility that comes with a decision like this," he said. "I understand some people may not approve of my decision but I am prepared (for criticism). I want to work hard for the Olympics so I won't regret this move."
Ahn is one of the most decorated South Korean winter sports athletes. He swept up three gold medals along with a bronze medal at the 2006 Torino Winter Olympics, and won five straight world titles from 2003 to 2007.
Ahn has been training in Russia since June this year to revive his career. In 2008, he suffered a career-threatening knee injury, and underwent four operations in 15 months. He later missed qualifying for the national team for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics.
In another blow, his semi-professional team at Seongnam City Hall folded last year on financial troubles, leaving Ahn to train alone.
"In Korea, Hyun-soo had no support and was actually ostracized," the skater's father said. "He's been deeply hurt over such difficult times."
Ahn Hyun-soo once said his goal was to make a triumphant comeback at the 2014 Winter Olympics. Before leaving for Moscow in June, he said he planned to enter the South Korean national team trials next year.
Jang Kwon-ok, a South Korean national, coaches for the Russian national team. But Ahn Ki-won has insisted Jang's presence has nothing to do with Hyun-soo's move to Moscow.
Though strong in Winter Olympics, Russia has never won an Olympic short track gold medal. South Korea leads the all-time short track medal tally with 19 gold medals and 37 overall.
