Kramer disqualified as Lee captures historic 10,000m gold

Speed Skating Vancouver 2010 Post a comment

Posted: Tuesday 23rd February 2010 | 22:39

Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver LEE Seung-Hoon was awarded men's 10,000m speed skating gold as favourite and world record holder Sven Kramer was disqualified after setting a new Olympic record at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

UTTERLY DOMINANT: The Netherlands' Sven Kramer smashes the Olympic record but is denied 10,000m gold after being disqualified for skating out of his lane (Getty Images)

Kramer romped home in 12.54.5 minutes, setting a new Olympic record in the process to seemingly complete a historic double at the Richmond Olympic Oval, having clinched 5000m gold already.

But despite finishing ahead of Lee by 4.05 seconds, Kramer was sensationally disqualified from the competition after skating into the wrong lane.

Midway through his 10,000m, the Dutchman was due to skate around a bend in the outside lane but switched to the inside at the last minute under instruction from coach Gerard Kemkers.

And despite a protest, Kramer knew his fate as soon as he finished, hurling his goggles to the ground in frustration with his basic error ensuring his dominant performance was in vain.

The Dutchman's disqualification means Lee's time of 12:58.55 remains an Olympic record as he becomes the first South Korean to win Olympic speed skating gold in the 10,000m.

The Dutch have been the kings of long-distance Olympic speed skating history and 23-year-old Kramer is their jewel in the crown but his error handed Korea their second speed skating gold of the Games as they continue to convert their short track dominance to long track.

"I'm really happy that I'm one of the first Asian skaters to win this race," said Lee.

"I don't think I will be able to sleep now that I have the gold medal. I'm very happy. I want to compete with Sven again. I think he thought he should keep going when he was on the track."

Kramer, the hot pre-race favourite was fuming upon hearing the news of his disqualification and shrugged off the consolations of the Netherlands' coaching staff for mis-directing him as the Olympic 10,000m title slipped out of Dutch hands for the first time since 1998.

Russia's Ivan Skobrev was paired with Kramer and despite finishing more than 7.5 seconds down on the Dutchman, he captured silver to compliment his bronze from the 5,000m.

Meanwhile, defending champion and fellow Dutchman Bob de Jong went in the penultimate pair and was awarded bronze, finishing a full 8.20 seconds behind the Korean.

AS IT HAPPENS: Follow day 12 of the Winter Olympics in Vancouver

IN PICTURES: Sven Kramer is disqualified in the 10,000m speed skating competition

Comments

To those who say Kramer's

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 02/24/2010 - 18:02.

To those who say Kramer's penalty was too harsh I say bull. Kramer broke the rules for the contest. The rule clearly state the penalty for such an infraction. Sure, Kramer's a great (the best) skater but, like everyone else, he has to play by the rules or face the consequences. Too bad he lost his focus.

Kramer was 4sec faster than lee but...

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 02/24/2010 - 13:35.

I think, he saved a few second skating on inside lane. His time would be a bit slower if he skated on the right (outside)lane.
Anyway it was a bit too harsh for Kramer.

I tink da kawean skatah did

Submitted by lee (not verified) on Wed, 02/24/2010 - 06:21.

I tink da kawean skatah did wewwy wewwy good.

The Dutch television just

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 02/24/2010 - 00:27.

The Dutch television just broadcasted a NOS-radio interview with Sven Kramer's coach, Kemkers. Kemkers admits to have screamed 'inside lane' to Kramer and pointing to the inside lane. Kramer, who was skating in the right lane got confused by the instructions of his coach and had to make a decision in a matter of second(s), so he switched lanes.

Whatever happened, Lee is

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 02/23/2010 - 23:40.

Whatever happened, Lee is really deserved Gold.
He is an exceptional skater. I was really amazed by Lee's performance.

really really harsh

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 02/23/2010 - 23:20.

that was so harsh on Kramer - he was so much quicker than Lee! I don't understand what the coach did though?

...

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 02/23/2010 - 23:42.

...

the f-ing coach told him to

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 02/23/2010 - 23:24.

the f-ing coach told him to go inside at the last second, while kramer was actually switching towards the outside lane (the correct one!!!). this guy was in trance, skating like he's done all his life, and the coach (Kemkers) decided to tell him to go INTO THE WRONG LANE! AAAAAH!!!! ps. the cone thing doesnt matter anymore cause he went into the wrong lane.