Olympic Rivalry: Korean Skater Disses Ohno's Medal Win

American speed-skater Apolo OhnoApolo Ohno has angered the South Koreans, who Tuesday night re-ignited an Olympic rivalry that is lot more interesting than talk about Vancouver’s lousy weather.

Agence France-Presse (AFP) quoted Lee SungLee Sung-Su as saying that Ohno did not deserve a medal. Lee won the gold Saturday in the 1,500 meter on the short-track course at 2010 Winter Games. Ohno won silver after two other Koreans, Sung Si-Bak and Lee-Suk, collided and crashed into the boards.

Ohno was quoted as saying that the Koreans should have been disqualified.

In the 2002 Salt Lake City Games, South Korean Kim Dong-Sung finished first in the 1,500 meters, but was disqualified for blocking Ohno.

“I was hoping there would be another disqualification like in Salt Lake City,’’ Ohno told reporters in Vancouver after his sixth career medal, tying him with long-track speed-skaker Bonnie Blair as America’s most decorated Winter Olympian. “The whole race, there was a whole lot of contact, bumping, grabbing. It was a crazy race.’’

Since those comments were published, South Korean media has shown video of Ohno of pushing Lee in a semifinal heat. “He did not deserve to stand on the podium,’’ Lee told AFP.

On video of the 2002 race, Ohno throws up his arms as if he were blocked by Kim. South Korean media have called the gesture “Hollywood action.” After the Salt Lake City race, angry South Korean fans crashed the International Olympic Committee’s web site with a reported 16,000 e-mails.

In 2003, Ohno decided not to compete in South Korea . Reportedly, he feared for his safety. Two years later, he traveled to South Korea and competed without incident.

Now, it sounds as if the rivalry is back.

“We are trying to go for all the medals again this time,’’ said Lee, whose rematches with Ohno are scheduled for Feb. 20 in the 1,000 meters and Feb. 26 in the 500 meters.