Lee Jung-Su claims short track sprint gold; Ohno takes silver

From Sportsbeat staff, in Vancouver

KOREA'S Lee Jung-Su claimed the men's 1500m Olympic short track speed skating gold - but only after two team-mates wiped each other out on the final bend to prevent a medal sweep.

CHAMPION: World number one Lee Jung-Su added Olympic gold to his resume in a dramatic 1500m final in Vancouver's Pacific Coliseum (Getty Images) 

American Apolo Anton Ohno snatched silver and his sixth career Olympic medal, becoming the most successful American male Winter Olympian of all-time and overtaking the mark held by speed skating legend Eric Heiden. 

US team-mate JR Celski, who just five months ago sliced his left thigh to the bone after a terrifying crash, completed the podium and Canada's Oliver Jean finished fourth.

In a nip and tuck final during which the lead repeatedly changed hands, three Korean skaters entered the final bend dominating the medal positions.

But Lee Ho-Sok collided with Sung Si-Bak, allowing their team-mate to skate clear for gold and their American rivals to fill up the vacant spots on the podium.

In an unpredictable sport of few guarantees, China's Wang Meng comes as close as it is possible to a racing certainty over the women's sprint 500m distance.

Barely beaten in the last three years, she was the most comfortable qualifier during the opening heats. 

The world record holder progressed to Wednesday's quarter-finals in style, adding the Olympic record to her collection, when she clocked 43.926 seconds.

Chinese team-mate Zhou Yang also looked strong, while American Katherine Reutter underlined her medal credentials.

Great Britain's Sarah Lindsay, competing at her third Games, progressed after a nervy race and will be joined in the quarter-finals by Scottish youngster Elise Christie.

Meanwhile, Wang Meng was later back on the ice for the women's 3000m relay heats - helping her quartet to another Olympic record. They will be joined in the final, which won't be staged for another 11 days, by Canada, Korea and the United States.

 AS IT HAPPENS: Day two of the 2010 WInter Olympics in Vancouver

IN PICTURES: The men's 1500m short track speed skating