GANGNEUNG, South Korea (AP) — Choi Min-jeong skated around waving to the South Korean fans who chanted her name. Arianna Fontana grabbed the Italian flag in celebration.
This being wild and wooly short-track speedskating, the result of the women's 500 meters waited on the judges' decision.
Fans chanted Choi's name, as if willing her to win the only Olympic short-track event that has eluded the powerful South Koreans.
But soon Choi was leaning over the rinkside padding listening to consoling words from her coach Tuesday night.
It was Fontana who was celebrating, jumping up and down in her skates and shaking her fists in triumph.