Kramer sets Olympic record to claim speed skating gold

From Sportsbeat staff, in Vancouver

TRIPLE world champion Sven Kramer set a new Olympic record to capture 5000m speed skating gold at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

CLEAR MARGIN: Dutch skater Sven Kramer skates away from USA's Shani Davis to set an Olympic record and win the 5000m in Vancouver (Getty Images)

The 23-year old, who also holds the 5000m world record, knocked 0.06 seconds off compatriot Jochem Uytdehaage's winning time from the Salt Lake City Games eight years ago to win in 6:14.60 minutes at the Richmond Olympic Oval.

Kramer has dominated the distance on the World Cup tour this season, cruising to victory in all four races he competed in.

And there was no stopping the Dutchman in Vancouver as he finished 2.35 seconds clear to upgrade his 5000m silver from Turin four years ago.

"I worked my ass off to win this medal. It's an amazing feeling. I worked for four years for it. I only lost once. Now I have to finish it and I did.

"I knew I couldn't go any faster. I gave it all and waiting for the last few results was agony. I thought it is going to kill me, but it all turned out good.

"I saw Lee Seung-Hoon go and thought 'Oh, my God', what if he beats my time?' But fortunately he didn't."

South Korea's Lee Seung-Hoon was a surprise silver medallist in Vancouver, finishing in 6:16.95 while Russia's Ivan Skobrev, who has three World Cup podiums to his name this season, was another 1.1 back in third.

"Last year I went through a lot of difficulties. I was going through a hard time, but I think it was all because something good was about to happen.

"And everything worked out from the beginning today. I think because of my experience from Short Track, I was able to achieve great results today."

USA's defending champion Chad Hedrick had the chance to spoil Kramer's party, racing against Norway's world silver medallist Havard Bokko in the final race.

But the American was slow from the off, falling nearly a second behind Kramer's time at the 200m mark and gradually dropping further back.

Bokko, 22, ran Kramer's time closer but was more than five seconds down with 800m to skate and had to settle for fourth, 4.2 behind the Dutchman.

USA's Shani Davis faced a tough pairing, racing against Kramer, and finished 13.84 down in 12th but the defending 1000m champion will prefer the shorter distances later in the week.

Meanwhile, bronze medallist Ivan Skobrev paid tribute to Kramer but vowed to exact revenge on home soil at Sochi 2014.

He said: "I have said it 100 times already, Sven is the best kid ever. I actually asked Sven if I could train with him and he said no.

"Sven is the best skater in the world but in the next Olympic Games in Russia I will do my best to beat him."

IN PICTURES: Sven Kramer sets a new Olympic record as he romps to 5000m gold in the Richmond Olympic Oval

AS IT HAPPENS: Day two from the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver