Premature celebration from South Korean skater costs team gold medal and military service exemption

South Korean Skater's Premature Celebration During Asian Games Costs Team Military Service Exemption

Men in South Korea are required to serve in the army for 18 months by the age of 28, but athletes can have the mandatory duty waived if they go on to win an Olympic medal or gold medal in the Asian Games. South Korean skater Jung Cheol-won had an Asian Games gold medal in his grasp but then decided to celebrate. Jung, a member of the three-man South Korean skating team, took part in the men’s 3,000-meter speed skating relay in the Asian Games on…

Premature celebration from South Korean skater costs team gold medal and military service exemption

By Ben Morse, CNN (CNN) — Winning a gold medal is a big deal. As a result, athletes want to be able to celebrate and soak in their moment at the top of their sport. However, for South Korean skater Jung Cheol-won, the decision to celebrate a fraction of a second too early cost him and his teammates a spot atop the podium – and an exemption from mandatory military service. Jung was part of the three-man South Korean team taking part in the men’s …

Premature celebration from South Korean skater costs team gold medal and military service exemption

Winning a gold medal is a big deal. As a result, athletes want to be able to celebrate and soak in their moment at the top of their sport.

South Korean skater costs his team Asian Games gold and an exemption from military service

This wasn't quite 'doing a Bradbury' but heartbreak and triumph tangled in a similar way at the Asian Games, proving that in sport, it's never over till it's over.