(Yonhap Feature) Ohno turns crowd around with performance, affectionate comments

(ATTN: to be updated with championship results and other relevant materials)
By Sam Kim

GANGNEUNG, South Korea, March 9 (Yonhap) -- When this year's world short track speed skating championships began Friday in this remote coastal city, no athlete sparked more boos and hostility from the crowd than Apolo Anton Ohno.

The reigning United States champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist has often been taunted in South Korea as "the king of fouls" because locals here believed he robbed them of a gold medal in the 2002 Salt Lake Winter Olympics.

During the 1,500-meter Olympic event televised worldwide, Ohno raised his arms in the last bend as if he had been fouled while trying to advance ahead of South Korean Kim Dong-sung, who crossed the finish line first.

To the shock of South Korean fans, Kim was later disqualified, yielding his gold medal to Ohno. Locals here were further enraged when Ohno rejoiced against the backdrop of Kim, who looked downward in frustration.

The grudge that formed six years ago resurfaced Friday when Ohno was introduced during a 500-meter race at the annual championships here. When the name of the 26-year-old was announced through an in-house speaker, the 4,000-strong crowd booed him loudly.

"He did us wrong, and he deserves the booing," said Yang Ji-seung, a 42-year-old housekeeper.

"I booed because I don't ever want to see him beat our Korean athletes again," said Kim Yang-seung, who runs a grocery store in this scenic city of about 200,000.

Following the race in which a local South Korean favorite won a gold medal, it was announced that Ohno was disqualified for having pushed him during the last curve and lost his silver medal. The crowd instantly roared and applauded the decision.

"He expected that. That's Korea," one of Ohno's coaches, who declined to be named, said of the response.

Ohno himself shrugged it off, even complimenting the audience.

"I think in general that would happen in any sport," he said. "I think it shows the fans are very into the race."

Asked whether the people might be booing him because of lingering memories of the 2002 incident, Ohno said, "I hope not. That was a long time ago."

Many who showed up at the Gangneung Ice Rink said otherwise.

"First impressions are always important," said Moon Sung-dae, 42. "I think Ohno made a bad first impression on us and it continues."

But others said it is about time that the negative sentiments disappeared.

"They lead nowhere. After all, he's only an athlete trying to bring his country medals. I feel sorry for him," said Im Ji-hyun, 21.

Fellow athletes gave varying opinions on the boos and cheers. "It's normal. I have seen it happen in other places," Mika Ozawa of Japan said.

Petion Georgieva from Bulgaria said, "When you are cheered, it really gives you a push. But when the crowd boos you, it discourages you a bit and affects your performance. Fans are a big part of the game."

The crowd nonetheless turned around on Saturday when Ohno whisked past the the 500-meter finish line first and brought his squad a precious gold medal.

When Ohno stepped on the podium to receive his medal, people unsparingly gave their applause and stood while the U.S. national flag was raised and the national anthem played.

"I always thought him as someone who wins competitions with foul moves. But today he has shown a fine and clean performance." said Kim Jong-hyun, 65.

"After all, he's an attractive young man who has made efforts to improve his relations with us since the unfortunate incident," Lee Mi-yeong, a longtime short track speed skating fan, said of the five-time Olympic medalist, who also emerged as a television star in his country last year when he won a dancing competition on the show "Dancing with the Stars."

Ohno, who was reportedly escorted by tens of police guards because of fear of attacks when he visited South Korea in 2005, further pleased the fans by complimenting them during a press conference following the race.

"It's great. A full house, a lot of short-track fans. There's a big fan base. I always love coming to Korea," he said.

"Ohno's made consistent efforts to turn the media and the people here around. I bet he's even prepared many of the comments he made here," said Jung Myung-kyu, a professor at Korea National Sport University and a former head coach for the national short track speed skating squad.

"Nonetheless, people have warmed up to him greatly, and it may be about time we let go of the sentiments," he said.

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