The Associated Press
Apolo Ohno backs off after getting bumped by Kim Dong-Sung in the 1,500-meter final on Wednesday night.

The Associated Press
Apolo Ohno celebrates during his gold medal ceremony Wednesday.

At last, Ohno claims elusive gold medal

Disqualification gives Seattleite first place

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Originally published Thursday, February 21, 2002

SALT LAKE CITY -- Apolo Anton Ohno crossed the finish line second again Wednesday night, but this time it was good enough for first place -- a stunning reversal of his Olympic misfortune.

The 19-year-old Seattle native, whose first shot at gold ended with him sprawled on the ice, won the 1,500 meters when South Korean Kim Dong-sung was disqualified for blocking him with a half-lap to go.

"They can just throw me in the desert and bury me," Ohno said. "I got a gold medal. I'm good now."

Ohno, who skated with six stitches in his left thigh, dropped to his knees in the center of the rink when the decision was announced.

Ohno was denied the gold in the 1,000 Saturday, taken out by a last-turn crash that he didn't cause. He still managed to stumble and crawl to the finish, taking the silver behind Australia's Steven Bradbury, the only skater not involved in the melee.

Ohno didn't seem bothered by the injury in the 1,500. After being last or next-to-last for much of the 13 1/2-lap race, he brought the sellout crowd to its feet with a daring pass on three skaters with two laps to go, moving up to second.

"I took a chance, stayed in the back, relaxed and saved some energy," Ohno said.

He still had to get past Kim, the defending World Cup champion.

Coming off the next-to-last turn, Ohno used a burst of momentum and dipped to the inside to get around the South Korean. But Kim moved into his path, prompting Ohno to throw up his arms -- a cagey move that certainly drew the attention of the referees.

Having cut off Ohno, Kim cruised around the final turn and crossed the line believing he had won gold. But that would belong to Ohno.

Li Jiajun of China won the silver and Marc Gagnon of Canada took the bronze.

- Medal count: U.S. trails Germany by five.

- Television: Complete schedule of today's coverage.

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