Chun Lee-kyung facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Chun Lee-kyung

Personal information
Born	(1976-01-06) January 6, 1976 (age 49)
Height	1.63 m (5 ft 4 in)
Weight	58 kg (128 lb; 9.1 st)
Sport
Country	South Korea
Sport	Speed skating
Retired	1998
World championship wins	1995 Overall 1996 Overall 1997 Overall
Medal record Women's short-track speed skating Representing  South Korea Event 1st 2nd 3rd Olympic Games 4 0 1 World Championships 9 11 3 World Team Championships 4 2 0 Olympic Games Gold 1998 Nagano 1000 m Gold 1998 Nagano 3000 m relay Gold 1994 Lillehammer 1000 m Gold 1994 Lillehammer 3000 m relay Bronze 1998 Nagano 500 m World Championships Gold 1995 Gjøvik 1500 m Gold 1995 Gjøvik 3000 m Gold 1995 Gjøvik Overall Gold 1996 The Hague 1500 m Gold 1996 The Hague Overall Gold 1997 Nagano 1500 m Gold 1997 Nagano 3000 m Gold 1997 Nagano Overall Gold 1998 Vienna 3000 m Silver 1993 Beijing 1500 m Silver 1993 Beijing 3000 m Silver 1993 Beijing Overall Silver 1995 Gjovik 1000 m Silver 1995 Gjovik 3000 m relay Silver 1996 The Hague 1000 m Silver 1996 The Hague 3000 m Silver 1997 Nagano 3000 m relay Silver 1998 Vienna 1000 m Silver 1998 Vienna Overall Silver 1998 Vienna 3000 m relay Bronze 1993 Beijing 3000 m relay Bronze 1994 Guildford 3000 m relay Bronze 1997 Nagano 1000 m World Team Championships Gold 1992 Nobeyama Team Gold 1995 Zoetermeer Team Gold 1996 Lake Placid Team Gold 1997 Seoul Team Silver 1994 Cambridge Team Silver 1998 Bormio Team Asian Winter Games Gold 1996 Harbin 1000 m Silver 1990 Sapporo 3000 m relay Silver 1996 Harbin 1500 m Bronze 1990 Sapporo 1000 m Bronze 1996 Harbin 3000 m

Chun Lee-kyung (Hangul: 전이경; Hanja: 全利卿) is a famous retired South Korean short track speed skater. She was born on January 6, 1976, in Okcheon, Chungcheongbuk-do. Chun Lee-kyung is known for winning four Olympic gold medals and being a three-time Overall World Champion from 1995 to 1997. She was a very strong competitor in international short track speed skating during the mid-1990s.

Chun Lee-kyung's Early Career

Chun Lee-kyung first competed in the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, France. She was only 15 years old at the time. While she didn't win medals at these games, it was an important start to her career.

Olympic Success in Lillehammer

In 1994, Chun Lee-kyung made a big impact at the Lillehammer Winter Olympic Games. She won two gold medals. She won the women's 1000 meter race, beating other top skaters. She was also part of the team that won the 3000 meter relay. Her team set a new world record in this event.

World Championship Dominance

Between the 1994 and 1998 Winter Olympics, Chun Lee-kyung was incredibly successful. She won the Overall World Championship three times in a row. These wins were in 1995, 1996, and 1997. This made her only the second person to win three World Championships in a row.

Rivalry with Yang Yang (A)

In 1997, she shared her World Championship title with Yang Yang (A) from China. Yang Yang (A) was one of Chun Lee-kyung's biggest rivals. Chun also won the Overall World Cup title for the 1997–1998 season.

Nagano Olympics and Retirement

In 1998, Chun Lee-kyung went to the Nagano Winter Olympics. She successfully defended both of her Olympic titles.

Defending Olympic Titles

In the 1000 meter final, she beat Yang Yang (A) and Yang Yang (S) from China. She was behind for most of the race but managed to win. Her relay team also won another Olympic gold medal, setting a new world record. This made her the first short track speed skater to win two gold medals in two different Olympics.

A Surprise Bronze Medal

Chun Lee-kyung also won a bronze medal in the 500 meters. This was a surprise because it was her weakest event. She had never won a World Championship medal in the 500 meters before. She became the first short track speed skater from Korea to win four Olympic gold medals.

Final Competition and Retirement

One month after the 1998 Olympics, Chun Lee-kyung competed in her final major international event, the 1998 World Championships. She won four medals there, including her third title in the 3000 meters. However, she narrowly missed winning her fourth straight Overall World Championship. Yang Yang (A) won the overall title that year. This race marked the end of their intense rivalry, as Chun Lee-kyung retired right after the competition.

Post-Skating Career

In 2002, Chun Lee-kyung was chosen to be part of the Athletes' Committee for the International Olympic Committee. This shows her continued involvement in the world of sports even after her retirement from skating.