Short Track Speed Skating

VANCOUVER - France have turned to South Korea, the kings of Olympic short-track speed-skating, in a bold attempt to shatter Asian supremacy in the event at the Vancouver Games which get underway on Friday.

Cho Hang-min, only 23 years old, has been drafted in as assistant coach to the French team in Canada, and he has a stern message for his new pupils.

"Training must be very competitive. It is on this point that French speed skaters are still behind the South Koreans," said Cho, who has trained the best young short-track skaters in his own country.

In all, South Korea have captured 17 gold medals since short-track became an Olympic sport in 1992.

So, there is no doubting Cho's pedigree and his effect has already been felt with Thibaut Fauconnet grabbing a second place in a World Cup 500m race at Marquette in the US last November.

It was a performance which guaranteed a place in the Olympics for the French skater.

"Cho has taught me a dimension which I was missing. In training, there is a lot of passing and positioning on the track," said Fauconnet.
National coach Bruno Loscos added: "He has given us a lot of great ideas on exercise techniques, but also instilled a great team spirit which we were missing a little.

"The closer you get to the summit, the more you need those little details which make all the difference."

Loscos, who skated for France at the 1994, 1998 and 2002 Winter Olympics, was himself coached by a South Korean and frequently spent long spells in the country to improve his skills.

"In South Korea, it's another world. The kids train three hours a day. In the way they perform, you are convinced you are watching seniors," said Loscos.

There's a vast reservoir of talent in South Korea with short-track practised in primary schools and the national squad has around 500 skaters.