2010 Winter Olympics: South Korea's Scientific Investment Strikes Skating Gold

South Korean speed skaters have shocked the sport by taking two gold medals as well as a silver in the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Their success in Vancouver has been attributed to a heavy investment in scientific analysis by the Korean Skating Union, who put the money forward in an attempt to achieve higher standards at this year’s Winter Games.

The KSU asked for assistance from a sports science institute to analyze the strength and reactions of each individual athlete. Once they had this data, more targeted and specialized training could be given to each skater, improving their weaknesses.

The team also studied the specific condition of the ice and the temperature of the track at Richmond in order to best prepare the skaters for the circumstances.

Their research and specialized training obviously worked, as female skater Lee Sang-hwa beat reigning world champion Jenny Wolf as well as world No. 2 Wang Beixing to 500m gold.

In doing this, Lee also became the first Asian woman ever to win a speed skating event at the Olympic Games.

This success is likely to encourage other competing nations to consider a heavier investment in their sports science research in order to keep up with the South Korean team, who will be looking to add to their medal haul in the men’s 1,000m later today.

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