Victor Ahn “knocked out” the Korean Skating Union. Why did Viktor Ahn change his citizenship? A question of choice Where is Viktor the speed skater now?

The six-time Olympic champion, in a frank conversation with RIA Novosti correspondent Anatoly Samokhvalov, spoke about the advantages of life in Russia and South Korea, his joys, boredom, his wife U Na Ri and daughter Jane, and also said that he loves his family and short track speed skating so much that he is considering about continuing your career after.

Ahn finished on Sunday in Dresden (Germany) and became sixth in the all-around.

They don’t set me any goals for the Olympics.

The European Championship, like the stages of the World Cup, are all stages of preparation for the Olympic Games, explains An. - We did a lot of work in the summer and could not be in optimal shape in the same World Cup. In the first two stages, I generally had a feeling of an elementary lack of strength, my legs were heavy. I’m used to driving calmly throughout the distance, sometimes until the very last lap, at the end I always switch to other speeds, but at the beginning of the season I couldn’t do this. At the end of the race my legs just wouldn't listen to me. With tactics, everything is fine with me, but physically I felt that I needed to improve. Now I feel better, I have more strength than even a month ago.

- You know everything about tactics.

Yes, and I have gained physical strength compared to what I had even in the fall.

- The Olympics are in a month.

And I’ll add more, I’ll be fresher.

- If we move away from the European Championship, did the South Korean national team present the next powerful names?

Yes, the guys run well.

But they are running along the “big path”, clearly using their brave power, but not their tactical diversity. Are you still able to use your tactics in the fight against the new Korean titans?

Now I'm heavier than before, I'm thirty-two years old. But I can still compete with them, I’m just finding my rhythm as the season progresses. One that will help me compete for awards. I'm going to fight for Olympic medals.

- Do you already have tasks for Pyeongchang?

I am not given any tasks at the Olympics, the main thing for me is to do my best.

- Will Pyeongchang 2018 really be your last start in your career?

Olympics? Maybe yes.

- But not exactly?

Don't know. Last year I planned to stop training after the Olympics, but now I don’t know how to answer this question. My daughter is growing up... And not so long ago I thought: maybe I should continue training after Pyeongchang? I haven’t decided 100% yet, but I consider the situation with the opportunity to continue my professional career as 50/50.

When your daughter, Jane An, came to the skating rink for the first time and saw you, what did your dad feel: a surge of strength or the realization that short track speed skating was far from the most important thing in life and it was time to end it?

Of course, I had more strength at that moment. Jane is still very little, she can barely talk anymore, and she makes me train more and more.

What for? The question is providing for the family? That is, if you finish your career and go, relatively speaking, to work as a coach, then you will not have the same financial opportunities?

I am also interested in coaching, but so far I am not thinking about such work. Maybe in the future I will become a coach, but not now. But I don’t know exactly what I will do after I finish my career. Either I’ll stay in short track racing, or I’ll do something else. My wife Na Ri and I will think about this soon. She already has her own business, she makes face masks, and in Korea, together with her sister, she opened a cafe.

I feel as good in Russia as in Korea

- What are your options for “life after short track”?

I still have time to think.

-Where would you like to live?

Complex issue. For Na Ri, of course, it would be better if we lived in Korea, because her family is there, her friend is there. I feel just as good in Russia as in Korea. And if after my career I can help with my work either in the Russian national team or in teaching children, I can work here too. But it is also possible in Korea.

- Was there no corresponding interest from the South Korean federation?

So far I’m an athlete, and nothing like this has happened, but I don’t rule out such an option after Pyeongchang.

- What is your soul leaning towards? Don't you miss Korea?

Of course, there is such a feeling. I miss. I just want to sit at home with the whole family and talk. I miss this kind of communication. Last year, my parents, my nephew, his sister and my friend came for about a week. But a week a year is not enough for full communication. But I made my choice. I once decided that my choice was Russia. So overall I have no problems. I live in Russia and train every day. But for Na Ri... She is always at home with Jane... This is the situation. Her life here is quite monotonous, but she treats it with understanding. She doesn't have as many friends here as she does there. She understands a lot of Russian, but doesn’t speak it very well. She does not have Russian citizenship, but will soon receive a residence permit. Jane has dual citizenship - Korea and Russia.

- Why was your daughter named in English?

We wanted it that way. In Korean, this name also sounds normal, does not hurt the ear, and in Russia it is comfortable with it.

- Na Ri, judging by her Instagram, is a wonderful hostess.

She is a very good cook. Very. Appetizers, spicy soup, kimchi, meat - everything is prepared wonderfully. She doesn't cook Russian food.

- Why?

I eat Russian food at the base in Novogorsk. And when I had to eat like this every day, I began to feel the need for something spicy. I just wanted to open my mouth and feel the pepper in it. I really want pepper. At home I have no problems with this (laughs).

Previously, you said that in Moscow, together with Na Ri, you liked to walk around the Central Department Store, but without shopping, since everything there was expensive. Where do you spend your leisure time now?

Right there. Not often, but sometimes we liked to walk in the center - Red Square, TSUM. Then we started going to Mega and IKEA not far from the house, as they were doing renovations in the house. But we finished it, finally. It lasted for a year and a half or two; they bought furniture and chandeliers. This is the first time in our lives that we have had such a renovation.

- A couple of years ago there was a rumor that your house was for sale.

Yes, it was funny. The neighbor's house was put up for sale, but they thought it was mine.

- If you suddenly return to Korea, what will you miss from Russian life?

Training. This is if we assume the situation that I am finishing my career and going to Korea.

- Will you miss training?

Yes, I'm serious. I think so. I’ll go to some other job, the same coach, but it seems to me that I will still want to train and train.

- Aren't you tired?

Of course I'm tired of it. But I am an athlete, and after finishing my career I will certainly remain one.

After Sebastian Cros left the post of head coach of the Russian national team, has the training process changed significantly?

The work is, of course, a little different, but it’s too early to draw conclusions. We'll see in the future. And this year is the most important. Hopefully we will look better at the end of the season. I didn’t look good at the World Cup last season either, but by the World Cup my form had clearly improved.

Do you think that after the Games in Sochi, where there was a triumph for Russian short track speed skating, our positions in this sport remained at the same level or did we lose ground?

I think that compared to Sochi our team has become a little weaker. There was more competition then. Semyon (Elistratov) grew and progressed, Volodya (Grigoriev) was very strong, Ruslan (Zakharov) was also in good shape, as was Dima (Migunov). The Canadians have not changed in their strength, in my opinion, it’s just that now it’s harder for them (Charles) Hamelin, but (Samuel) Girard is very good.

You don't want to say goodbye to training. Don't you get tired of competitions? You have six Olympic gold medals, eight European Championship gold medals, and 18 World Championship gold medals.

I have motivation for Pyeongchang. Well, after that I’ll just physically be able to be a quality professional for another year, two at most. It's hard to train, but when I go out on the ice I still feel... How can I say this? Enjoy (enjoyment).

- “Enjoy” isn’t getting smaller?

Nope. On the contrary, more.

- You collect rewards, you already have them all. Why do you have more of that “enjoy”?

It's not about the results. It's just that short track skating is my life. And I understand that I have very little time left to “live” in it, so I enjoy every moment in it. Right now my leg hurts after training, but I’m glad. And in Pyeongchang I want to put a beautiful end to it. And then decide whether it’s worth repeating everything again...

Due to debts, the father of the Olympic champion was forced to sell his apartment

After a series of high-profile victories, 28-year-old Victor AN became extremely popular. But few people know what drama the future six-time Olympic champion in short track speed skating experienced as a child.

When Victor Ahn (then his name was Ahn Hyun Soo) was 10 years old, his mother left the family. The insidious woman left not only her husband with two children, but also a bunch of debts - more than $300 thousand. Ahn Ki-won, the boy's father, was forced to sell the apartment in order to pay off creditors. He “plowed” day and night. And then he met his salvation - Jeon Mi-jeong, who was 13 years younger than him. He fell madly in love, Chon reciprocated. Despite her parents' objections, the beauty married a man with an "appendage". And then she gave birth to two more children. According to Ahn Ki-won, she replaced Victor’s own mother.

- Victor, can you confirm your father’s words?
- This is a sore subject for me. But I can say that Jeon Mi Jeong is really very kind and caring.
- How do you feel about stepbrothers?
- When I lived in Korea, we were friends.
- And how, if it’s not a secret, do you feel about journalists?
- I don't really like giving interviews. Sometimes journalists write things I didn't say. For example, about my attitude to the events in Ukraine. In fact, no one called me and asked about Ukraine.
- Have you already seen your future cottage in the Moscow region?
- Yes. All that remains is to sign the contract. This is a very good gift for my family.
- Did they call you about the apartment being built for you in St. Petersburg?
- I am aware that some company seems to be going to give me an apartment in St. Petersburg. But for now these are just words.

- How did you meet Yu Na Ri?
- Short track speed skating is very popular in Korea. Yoo Na Ri Been a fan of mine for many years. I gave her autographs, she gave me gifts. And then we started dating. When I felt bad, Na Ri always found the right words to support me.
- Having decided to leave Korea for Russia, did you break up with her?
“We continued to call each other and exchange emails. I felt sad without her. I am grateful to your sports directors - they themselves suggested that Na Ri move in with me. Now she, too, like me, is a citizen of Russia.
- Are you married?
- Yes, we registered our relationship in Korea. Due to preparations for the Olympics, there was no time to properly organize the wedding. But she will definitely be there! We will have a wedding in Russia. - What does your wife do?
- Creates comfort in the home. Acts as my referent. Helps me learn Russian. Na Ri speaks Russian much better than me. Captures everything on the fly.
- How are you going to relax after a difficult season?
- First, my wife and I will go to Korea. I haven’t been to my homeland for a long time, I want to see my family. And then we will go to the Mediterranean Sea.
- Where did you and your wife vacation last time?
- I do not remember. If Na Ri is nearby, this is relaxation for me.

Four operations

- What caused the conflict because of which you left for Russia?
- I don’t want to stir up the past. It's better to look forward rather than back.
Victor's father turned out to be more talkative. He said that after the Olympics in Turin, where his son won three gold medals for South Korea, Victor had many envious people. This included his teammate Lee Ho Suk. An and Li used to be friends, but a conflict arose between them - and the ambitious athletes refused to dine at the same table. The South Korean short track speed skating team has split into two hostile camps. Victor felt out of place. At that moment he even wanted to leave the sport.
And in January 2008, during training, Ahn Hyun Soo crashed into a metal fence at full speed. The diagnosis is a fracture of the knee joint. He underwent four operations and failed to qualify for the 2010 Olympics. In Korea they gave up on him. And then An decided to change his citizenship. His uncle wrote a letter to the Russian Skating Union.
- Did you know that you would have to renounce your Korean citizenship?
- No. In our country, women have the right to have dual citizenship. But, as it turned out, this rule does not apply to men.

- How do your former partners - athletes from Korea - perceive you? They don't call you a traitor?
- I don’t know, I haven’t heard. I feel some discomfort in front of them. In the sense that he took away a medal from one of them. But this was also the case when I played for Korea. I hope they don't consider me an enemy.
- They say that your younger brother An Hyun-jun may also leave his historical homeland.
- My brother, like me, is involved in short track speed skating. And it shows hope. My dad takes care of him. It seems to me that the main thing now for my brother is to train and perform well, and then take some fateful steps.
- At the FIFA World Cup, which will take place in the summer, the national teams of Korea and Russia are in the same group. Who will you root for?
- I will root for beautiful football. ( Smiling.) I want both Russia and Korea to reach the next stage of the championship.
- Are you staying in big sports?
- I’ll run for another year, and then we’ll see. The 2015 World Short Track Speed ​​Skating Championships will be held in Moscow, and you don’t want to miss it.

BY THE WAY
On the eve of the 2014 Olympics, Victor's stepmother Jeon Mi-jeong prayed in the temple every day for a month for his success.

Alexey KRAVTSOV, President of the Russian Skating Union:
“When Victor An was just moving to Russia and undergoing medical examinations with us, the doctors asked me: “Why do you need this guy? What do you expect from him? I replied that I was waiting for honey from Vitya

Viktor An became a winner at the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi. Then he had no equal in short track speed skating - he brought three gold medals in speed skating for our country. However, now 32-year-old Ahn has announced that he is retiring from big-time sports. So far he has not revealed his future plans. At the moment, he remains the most decorated short track speed skater in history.

The President of the Russian Skating Federation Alexey Kravtsov made an official statement.

“Victor Ahn has decided to end his career. Unfortunately, after all the negotiations, he decided that he would not work with us as a coach. We are very grateful to him for all the contribution he made to the development of short track speed skating in Russia,” said Kravtsov.

It is not yet known whether Victor will continue to live in our country. In 2011, he changed his South Korean citizenship and received a Russian passport. The fact is that at home they did not believe in his restoration and put an end to his career. Three years earlier, he injured his knee during training. After the operation, he recovered quickly, but the South Korean Skating Federation was in no hurry to provide him with proper support. Then he decided to move to Russia and train here. Ahn Hyun Soo became Viktor An according to his passport and began preparing for the 2014 Olympics.

“First I received a Russian passport, then Na Ri, who became my wife,” says 31-year-old An. “Thanks to her support, I quickly adapted; she helped me learn Russian. Of course, we both miss Korea. My wife even has a cafe there in Seoul. After moving, I communicate less often with my brothers and sisters. I try to catch up when I come to visit. But I feel good in Russia too,” the athlete told StarHit.

The short speed skater was set to take part in the Pyeongchang Games this year, but was not allowed to compete, like many of his colleagues. Those approved by the IOC could not even sew the image of our country’s flag onto their uniforms - they competed as “Olympic athletes from Russia.”

According to rsport.ru, Viktor An ended his career by participating in the Russian Championship, receiving one gold and two silver medals, and also brought victory to the Moscow team in the relay race.

Ahn won his first awards at the World Championships back in 2002 in Montreal at the age of 16. He took part in the 2002 Olympic Games, but returned without awards (4th place in the 1000 m). In total, he won more than 30 medals at the world championships, of which 20 were gold (including 5 consecutive titles of absolute world champion). Winner of 5 gold medals at the Asian Winter Games (2003 and 2007), three-time champion of the 2005 Winter Universiade. At the 2006 Olympic Games in Turin, Ahn became one of the main heroes of the entire Olympics - only he, the German biathlete Michael Greis and the young Korean short track speed skater Chin Sun Yu managed to win 3 gold. At the same time, An was the only one of them who also won bronze.

After suffering a serious knee injury at the beginning of 2008, he missed all the major competitions in 2008-2009. He tried to qualify for the Korean team for the 2010 Olympic Games, but failed.

On August 15, 2011, the Russian Skating Union reported that, together with the Ministry of Sports of the Russian Federation, they applied to the Commission on Citizenship Issues under the President of the Russian Federation to grant Russian citizenship to Ahn Hyun Soo. As reported, An had been training with the Russian national team since June 2011, began studying Russian and was planning to move to Russia for permanent residence.

On December 26, 2011, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signed a decree granting Ahn Hyun-soo Russian citizenship. When changing citizenship, the skater took the name Viktor An. An explained his choice of name for three reasons:

Firstly, the name Victor is associated with the word “victory”, which means “victory”. It turns out symbolic, I want this name to bring me good luck. Secondly, I know another Korean named Victor, who is very popular in Russia and well known in Korea - this is Viktor Tsoi. I would like to become as famous in Russia. And thirdly, I was told that Victor for Russian-speaking people is an easy name and is quickly remembered.

At competitions, An represents Moscow, where he lives. Having received Russian citizenship, An became the only three-time Winter Olympic champion in Russia who continues his career. At the games in Sochi, Victor became the Olympic champion for the sixth time. Victor Ahn (Ahn Hyun Soo) is the first athlete in history to win Olympic gold while competing for two different countries.

The reasons for the hero of Turin’s move to Russia is the main topic that interested European colleagues on the eve of Sochi.

One of them in Dresden asked S:)styan Kros what he thought about the practice of “Olympic tourism”. The French specialist corrected his interlocutor, emphasizing that he would not apply this term to Anu. “If Viktor continued to train in Korea and competed for Russia, that would be one thing. But he moved and has been living in a new country for three years, he accepted certain obligations. So in this case we are talking about something more.” .

Russian team

In March 2012, at the Russian Short Track Speed ​​Skating Championships, he won the 1000 and 3000 m distances, and also came second in the 1500 m.

On October 21, 2012, at the first stage of the 2012/2013 World Cup, he won the 1000 m distance, his first after an injury and a change of citizenship. Then he won the World Cup stages in Nagoya (1000 m) and Shanghai (1500 m).

At the 2013 World Championships in Debrecen, Ahn won silver in the 500 meters and also became second in the Russian team in the relay. In the overall championship, Victor took sixth place.

As part of the Russian national team at the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi, he became a bronze medalist at a distance of 1500 m. He won a gold medal at a distance of 1000 m. This victory was the first for Russia in short track speed skating at the Olympic Games. Later he won two gold medals: at a distance of 500 m and as part of the Russian 5000 m relay team.

When you ask people to talk about Viktor An, the first thing you hear in nine cases out of ten is “modest,” “simple,” and even “shy.” The remaining percentage will also definitely mention this, just not right away. Those who have only seen him at a distance - aggressive, angry, bypassing his rivals like a moped standing in a traffic jam - find it hard to believe. Ask the Dutchman Schipke Knegt, who, out of frustration, showed both middle fingers to Anu at the end of the relay at the 2013 European Championships in Dresden and thereby provided the continental championship with unprecedented publicity.

“Vitya behaves like an ordinary guy, as if he doesn’t have any Olympic medals or records. He was like that in the Korean team too - shy and silent,” says Tatyana Borodulina, leader of the Russian women’s short track team. “But when you you start talking to him, he always keeps up the conversation. For us, he’s already one of us: Vitya, Vitek. The guys joke with him all the time. I don’t know him very well, but it seems to me that he’s kind. And everyone on our team loves him very much." .

The latter is not surprising: Viktor An does not keep to himself, he has learned the language, sings the Russian anthem with feeling and eats everything that is served in the Novogorsk canteen, including noodles and borscht. They say that the team even came up with a friendly nickname for him: Mongol. For some time now, he has not had a personal Korean trainer or assistant next to him. From his personal team, it seems, only Nari remained - a beautiful, petite, smiling girl, as if she had stepped off the cover of an Asian fashion catalogue. She, too, can carry on a conversation in Russian, and when our anthem is played in honor of her husband, she sings along, beating the melody with her foot.

Surely they both miss something familiar left in distant Korea. But when you see the An couple surrounded by the team, Victor’s words about moving to Russia immediately come to mind: “Don’t try to convince me that you did the wrong thing. I don’t regret anything.”

Personal life

Since 2011, he has been dating a Korean woman, Yu Na Ri (b. 1984), who moved to Russia in 2013 and received Russian citizenship. Previously, Yoo Na Ri was a fan of An and was a member of one of the fan clubs. South Korean journalists note her beauty and charm. According to Ahn, Yoo Na Ri's presence and care allowed him to fully adapt to Russia. Victor's father told reporters that there would be a wedding between Victor and Nari after the Olympics.

A little from Victor An's interview:

I'll tell you that I feel much better in Russia than in Korea. Here I have freedom to train and can focus more on sports than in Korea. In my free time, I walk, go somewhere - everything is like in normal life in Korea. People don’t recognize me on the streets, so in that regard it’s easier here.

Of course, I spend more time in Russia, I’m Russian now.

Russia gave me everything I needed so that I could work towards this goal - winning the Olympics. I needed special conditions, I could not train to the standards that are accepted in the Korean national team after I received a knee injury.

I try to be discreet and remain silent about many things for now. I read articles that appear in the Korean press and think about many things. I understand everything perfectly: Korea is not performing very well at the Olympics, and I, with my successes under the Russian flag, are like an eyesore. Now I just read, think, remain silent. But when the Olympics are over, I will tell you everything that has boiled over!

In Russia, I live in a room at the base in Novogorsk - it’s been two years since I decided to play for your country. Who am I friends with? With all the guys from the national team. In general they treat me very well.

On my skates there is the inscription No pain, no gain: no pain - no gain. This is my motto. After all, I lost four years due to injury. And now I have to overcome myself every day, every hour. Honestly, I saw this slogan on TV in Korea and it stuck with me.

My father contacted the Russian Skating Union and the Short Track Federation; it was his idea. Then I was very worried and worried: can I go to a place where I don’t know if I will be able to show results. I arrived, started training, and everyone helped me - the athletes, the federation staff, and the doctors.

I have never regretted my decision. But for the first few months I was really lonely. I'm not the kind of person who can easily join any company. It's hard for me to open up. But the support of the federation, including in terms of my recovery from injury, helped to overcome these difficulties.

Koreans envy me! They watch our team, see how many staff we have, how they take care of us. So they feel jealous.

I have something to strive for, I need to improve my knowledge of the Russian language. In addition, I see my mission as promoting Russian short track racing so that it becomes more popular in Russia.

I can speak well in everyday life, but when there is an interview, it’s more convenient for me through an interpreter. He can better convey what I want to say. And in general, I understand better than I speak.

The most difficult thing in learning Russian is grammar. And also pronunciation, because many people in Russia have different pronunciation. Or this: there is no “R” in the Korean language, and it is very difficult for me to speak Russian words with this letter.

I plan to learn Russian better– in order to pass on my experience to young Russian athletes after finishing my career.

I think after the Olympics in Sochi I will rest a little and then focus on my studies, because I need to finish university. I don’t know yet when I’ll start training again. Of course, I want to perform in Pyeongchang in 2018. But I’m unlikely to run all distances there. I'll be old already (laughs). Perhaps I will prepare for the relay race.

Do you already feel like a national hero of Russia? I know that a lot of people in our country are rooting for me. I feel this support. I can hear her from the stands. Before the Sochi Olympics, short track speed skating was not popular in Russia. But now we have greatly improved the status of this sport. This is my greatest joy. We competed as a team too. And this became a great incentive for the development of short track speed skating.

Which medal do you value most? In the relay race. I attached the greatest importance to this particular view. He crowns the competition. Puts the final point on them. And our entire team performs in it. We fought together and won. Because in this race the main thing is not speed, but team spirit! And we proved that we have it. We are proud that we were able to prepare so well. I really hope that we will celebrate this event with the guys before the end of the Olympics. Happy victory to all of you!

I know the words to the Russian anthem. When I win, I stand on the podium, the Russian anthem plays, I will sing it! I promise.

How did Korea react?

The situation with Victor An's victories in Sochi against the backdrop of the weak performance of the Korean short track team provoked a huge scandal in South Korea. Korean fans, continuing to support the athlete despite his Russian citizenship, are demanding full-scale reforms in the Korean Skating Union.

We also note that earlier high-ranking officials announced the possibility of an investigation. Thus, South Korean President Park Geun-hye said that the situation with the “outstanding athlete” Viktor Ahn is an indicator of “structural absurdity,” “factionalism, favoritism and corruption in sports circles.” She scolded officials about why the athlete was forced to leave his homeland and is now winning Olympic medals for another country, while the Korean team is failing all of its “medal plans.”

In addition, Second Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Kim Jong said: “After the end of the Olympics in Sochi, we intend to conduct a full-scale audit of all the problems and bad practices that exist in the Skating Union.”

South Korean President Calls Viktor Ahn "Outstanding Athlete"
After the president’s statements and the deputy minister’s statements, journalists and experts did not really believe the KAI’s statements that “there is no talk of any verification, and the documents were requested as part of normal control practice.” According to most experts, officials from the Audit and Inspection Committee simply began collecting documents for future work, when the investigation is officially announced.

Let us remind you that the only representative of Korea who reached the final in the 1500 m race was disqualified for violating the rules. The race caused a huge resonance in Korea, and almost the entire country followed it. After the victory of the Russians, who took gold and silver, a flurry of criticism began against the Skating Union.

From myself: I have never been a fan of short track speed skating, but at these Olympic Games I fell in love with this sport!!! Should show it more often! Victor An-hero, king of short track! Legend! And the way he sang the anthem...it was unforgettable! Thanks to Victor for the indescribable sensations! Thanks to the whole team!!! They are great guys!!!

Viktor Ahn was not allowed to participate in the Olympics in Pyeongchang

Six-time Olympic short track champion Viktor An will not compete at the 2018 Olympic Games in Pyeongchang. According to information, the athlete was removed from the list of participants in the Games by the admission commission of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The reason for Ahn's exclusion is that his name appears in the report of the independent commission of the World Anti-Doping Agency led by Richard McLaren. In addition to An, his national team partners, Denis Airapetyan and Vladimir Grigoriev, were left without the Olympics.

Ahn will not have time to appeal the IOC decision and will definitely miss the 2018 Games

Sports lawyer Mikhail Prokopets said in an interview with Sport Express that 32-year-old An will definitely miss the Olympics, as he will not have time to appeal the decision of the IOC commission. “We knew all the names of those suspended in advance; Viktor An was not on this list. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) will consider the cases of our Olympians this week, and An will not have time to get into this trial - therefore, he will miss the Olympics,” the lawyer noted.

The short track speed skater was not suspected of violating anti-doping rules

The IOC's decision looks unexpected, because the name of Viktor Ahn did not appear on the lists of those suspected of violating anti-doping rules during the work of the commission led by Denis Oswald. The commission was investigating allegations made by the former head of the Moscow Anti-Doping Laboratory, Grigory Rodchenkov, who claimed that all Russian champions and medalists of the Sochi Olympics took prohibited drugs. Oswald and his colleagues checked all athletes participating in the 2014 Games whose names appeared in McLaren's report. Back then, Ana's name didn't come up anywhere.

The athlete was the first to express his readiness to compete under the Olympic flag

An was the first Russian athlete to express his readiness to compete at the PyeongChang Olympics under the Olympic flag after the IOC Executive Committee decided to suspend the Russian team from the 2018 Games in early December. “If Russia does not boycott the Olympics in Pyeongchang, I will take part in the competition in a neutral status. I’ve been preparing for this for four years and I just can’t refuse,” An said then. The boycott did not happen, but the short track speed skater will still not be able to compete in his homeland.

An - the most titled short track speed skater on the planet

Until 2011, the athlete played for the South Korean national team. As part of it, he became a three-time Olympic champion at the 2006 Olympics in Turin, Italy, winning gold at distances of 1000, 1500 and 5000 meters. Ahn is the first Korean to win three medals in singles events at the Winter Games. As a member of the Korean national team, Ahn also won 18 gold medals at the World Championships. In 2008, An was injured, came into conflict with the National Olympic Committee and failed to qualify for the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver. In 2011, the short track speed skater decided to move to Russia. Having received a new passport and changed his name from Ahn Hyun Soo to Viktor An, the athlete began preparing for the Games in Sochi, where he subsequently won three gold medals.

At the Sochi Olympics, An brought Russia three gold medals

After moving to Russia, An assured that ideal conditions were created for his preparation. In March 2012, at the Russian Championships, the athlete became the winner at distances of 1000 and 3000 meters, and also managed to solve the main task - to qualify for the 2014 Games. In Sochi, An first became a bronze medalist at a distance of 1500 meters, failing to get ahead of three-time Olympic champion Charles Hamelin and Chinese Han Tianyu. He then won the gold medal in the 1000 meters, beating new compatriot Vladimir Grigoriev to become Russia's first Olympic short track champion. Soon the athlete won two more gold medals. At a distance of 500 meters, he beat the Chinese Wu Dajing and the Canadian Charles Cournoyer. As part of the Russian relay team, An won gold in the 5000 meters along with Grigoriev, Semyon Elistratov and Ruslan Zakharov.