After tumultuous conversion, Lee delivers S. Korea`s first medal in Vancouver

VANCOUVER, Feb. 13 (Yonhap) -- South Korean speed skater Lee Seung-hoon silenced
critics who derided his decision to switch from the short track event to the
speed skating event after delivering the nation's first medal at the Vancouver
Winter Games.
The 22-year old from Korea National Sport University took silver in the
5,000-meter speed skating event on Saturday, less than a year after failing to
make the nation's short track Olympic squad. Lee also became Asia's first-ever
Olympic medalist in a long-distance skating category.
"It was very difficult withstanding the skeptical glances questioning how I would
change by converting to a different event," said a jubilant Lee, adding his
performance was far better than even he expected.
Lee, who was first began skating as a hobby when he was 8 years old, had in fact
been a rising star in the field of short track, most recently becoming a
three-time champion at last year's Winter Universiade.
His dream of competing in the Olympics was put on hold in April of last year,
however, after failing to enter the national team amid stiff competition from
senior athletes including Ahn Hyun-soo and Lee Ho-seok.
Short-track skaters have traditionally been the most prolific of South Korea's
Olympic gold medal winners.
Lee decided shortly thereafter to convert to the speed skating event. Having been
brought up as a short track competitor, he had to learn from scratch.
The determined Lee overcame his novice handicap by winning in a national speed
skating competition and being picked up by the national speed skating squad.
A quick learner, Lee went on to break the country's speed skating records at an
International Skating Union World Cup competition.
The silver medal, Lee said, "single-handedly blew away" all the anguish and
uncertainty that had haunted him since last year's conversion from short track to
speed skating.
odissy@yna.co.kr
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