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; born January 6, 1976) is a famous retired South Korean short track speed skater. She was one of the best in the world during the mid-1990s. Chun won four Olympic gold medals and was a three-time Overall World Champion from 1995 to 1997.

Early Olympic Journey

Chun Lee-kyung started her Olympic journey at a young age. She showed great promise in short track speed skating.

First Olympic Appearance

Chun was just 15 years old when she competed in the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, France. Even though she was very young, she gained valuable experience. This experience helped her prepare for future competitions.

Lillehammer Success in 1994

At the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway, Chun truly shined. She won two gold medals, showing her amazing talent.

• She won the women's 1000 meter race. She beat top skaters like Nathalie Lambert and Kim So-hee.
• Chun was also part of the team that won the 3000 meter relay. Her team set a new world record time in this event.

World Championship Dominance

Between the 1994 and 1998 Winter Olympics, Chun Lee-kyung was nearly unbeatable. She became a dominant force in short track speed skating.

Three-Time World Champion

Chun won the Overall World Championship three times in a row. She took home the title in 1995, 1996, and 1997. This made her only the second person to achieve three consecutive overall world titles.

• In 1997, she shared the world title with Yang Yang (A) from China. Yang Yang (A) was one of Chun's biggest rivals.
• Chun also won the Overall World Cup title for the 1997–1998 season. This showed her consistent performance.

Nagano Olympics and Retirement

The 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan, marked another highlight in Chun's career. It was also her final major international competition.

Defending Olympic Titles

In Nagano, Chun successfully defended both of her Olympic titles. She showed incredible skill and determination.

• She won the 1000 meter race again, beating China's Yang Yang (A) and Yang Yang (S).
• Chun led her relay team to another Olympic victory in the 3000 meter relay. They set another world record. This made her the first short track skater to win "double-double" Olympic golds.

A Surprise Bronze Medal

Chun also earned a bronze medal in the 500 meter race. This was a surprising win 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 World Championships

One month after the Nagano Olympics, Chun competed in the 1998 World Championships. This was her last big international event.

• She won four medals, including her third title in the 3000 meters.
• However, she narrowly missed winning her fourth straight Overall World Championship. Her rival, Yang Yang (A), won the overall title.
• This competition was the final chapter in the exciting rivalry between Chun and Yang Yang (A). Chun retired from the sport right after this event.

Post-Skating Career

After retiring from speed skating, Chun Lee-kyung continued to be involved in sports.

• In 2002, she was chosen to be part of the Athletes' Committee for the International Olympic Committee. This shows her lasting impact on the world of sports.