Winter Olympics: South Koreans threaten boycott over Ohno gold

The International Skating Union has rejected a protest by South Korea, who threatened to boycott the closing ceremony over Apolo Anton Ohno's speed skating gold.

The South Koreans appealed against the disqualification of world champion Kim Dong-sung, but the ISU turned them down, claiming there is no provision in the short-track rule book for overturning a judgment call by the referee.

South Korea believe Kim should have been be awarded the gold in the short-track speed skating for crossing the finish line first in the 1,500 metres on Wednesday night.

An Australian referee ruled that Kim improperly blocked Ohno with a half-lap to go, disqualifying Kim and giving the gold medal to the 19-year-old American.

The South Koreans also appealed to International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge, hired a Salt Lake City law firm and said they might boycott the closing night of the Salt Lake City Games.

"We will use all measures necessary to rectify the misjudgment," said Park Sung-in, leader of the country's Olympic team.

Winner Ohno, who graciously accepted his fate when a last-lap crash cost him a chance to win the 1,000 metres, said he can't understand why the South Koreans are so upset.

"You get off the ice and respect the referee's decision," he said. "It's happened to me so many times."

Before learning of the ISU decision, the South Koreans said they also would go to the IOC and Court of Arbitration for Sport. In addition, they plan to sue chief referee James Hewish.

The South Koreans aired their complaints at a news conference immediately following a briefing in which Russia threatened to pull out of the Salt Lake City Games and said it might not go to the 2004 Athens Games.

The Russians are upset by decisions in cross-country skiing, hockey and figure skating.

Asked if his country was considering such drastic measures, Park replied, "We will do anything possible, including not participating in the closing ceremony."

He would not dismiss the possibility of pulling out of the remaining events in Salt Lake City and boycotting Athens.

"We're not commenting on Ohno's performance," Park said. "He's an excellent skater. What we don't agree with is the referee's misjudgment"