Vancouver OWG 2010: First Medals for Former WU Medallists

Multiple WU medallist Seung-Hoon Lee (c) on the medal podium in Harbin (photo: C. Pierre)

Chinese figure skating pair Shen Xue and Zhao Hongbo gave China their first ever Olympic figure skating title when they won gold in the pairs event in Vancouver on Monday, February 15th. The husband-and-wife team led a Chinese 1-2 ahead of teammates Pang Qing and Tong Jian with Germany’s reigning two-time world champions Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy taking bronze after the free skating final. Shen, 31, and Zhao, 36, had returned after retiring for two years in their bid to claim gold after winning bronze at the past two Olympics. The couple participated at the 1997 Winter Universiade in Muju-Chonju, Korea where they topped the ranking with a gold medal as well.

Another former WU participant Korean speed skater Seung-Hoon Lee won the silver medal in the 5,000 m long track, whereas he won four medals at the 2009 Winter Universiade in Harbin, China … in short track: gold on the 1,000 m, 1,500 m, 3,000 m and bronze on the men’s relay 6,000 m. – C. Pierre, FISU Press Officer

Shen Xue and Zhoa Hongbo