Shin A-Lam: South Korean Fencer Doesn't Need Medal to Be an Olympic Legend

The terrible decision that robbed South Korea's Shin A-Lam a chance to compete in a gold-medal fencing match won't keep her from becoming an Olympic legend.

There is a special place in Olympic lore for athletes whose aspirations were derailed by extenuating circumstances. Shin A-Lam definitely falls into that category. 

Shin was tied with German Britta Heidemann in the semifinal match of the women's individual épée. Time was quickly running out, which was good news for Shin because she was the one who would advance in a tie. 

Then there were some serious clock issues that resulted in the match going seconds longer than it should have, and in those extra seconds, Heidemann scored the winning blow. 

Shin was understandably devastated, and she had to sit on the piste for what seemed like an eternity as that devastation was laid bare for the whole world to see. She had to remain on the piste because to leave would be viewed as her accepting the decision, and the South Korean's wanted to protest.

Their appeal was denied, and Shin was forced to compete in the bronze-medal match, which she lost. 

This chain of events led to Shin going from being guaranteed at least a silver medal to her leaving empty-handed...at least in terms of hardware. 

However, Shin is now set to become the most well-known fencer of all time. Fencers do not typically enjoy widespread popularity, but when something heartbreaking like this happens, it strikes a chord with the public. 

Think of Derek Redmond in the 1992 Olympics.

The British athlete was running the 400-meter dash when an injury forced him to pull up. Determined to finish, he limped toward the finish line as his dad rushed to the track to give him a shoulder to lean on.

The images are unforgettable, and that moment is far more widely remembered than the outcome of any of the 400s that year. 

This is a similar situation. The image of a shattered Shin sitting on the piste will not be forgotten. While the ruling didn't allow her to advance, everyone knows she was the rightful winner. 

Shin A-Lam did not get a medal to cherish forever, but she did earn a place in eternal Olympic memories that she otherwise never would've had.