Timmer overcomes tearful DQ to capture gold
(China Daily)
Updated: 2006-02-21 06:45

Timmer was the first victim of a new rule imposing any false start upon both skaters in a heat. When her Korean rival false started, both were on the brink of 500m banishment. When Timmer moved her right arm after taking her mark, she was disqualified.

The incident sent livid Dutch coaches complaining the starters were holding skaters in their blocks too long. US and Canadian skaters agreed.

"I have a vengeful feeling after my disqualification," Timmer said. "I'm still angry so be careful.

"You are here training for a week and finally the event is here. All your adrenaline is at the start. Then you can pack up your bag and go home when you still have that adrenaline.

"It gives extra motivation. I was really ready to race the 500, too."

Klassen, the reigning world champion at 1,500m and 3,000m, became the first Canadian woman to win three medals in a single Winter Olympics. She took silver in team pursuit and bronze at 3,000m and was happy for Timmer after the race.

"I felt really bad for her after the 500. You never want to see that happen with any skater," Klassen said. "She's a great athlete. It's really special for her to win this gold medal."

Timmer finished fourth in the 1,000m at Salt Lake City.

"That's the worst place you can be," Timmer said. "Better to be sixth I think."

Dutch Olympic 3,000m champion Ireen Wust, 19, settled for fourth in the 1,000m in 1:16.39 with Canada's Kristina Groves, fifth.

Dutch reigning world champion Barbara de Loor was sixth in 1:16.73 and world sprint champion Svetlana Zhurova, who won the 500m gold on Tuesday, was seventh in 1:17.13.