Heartbreak on ice for world champ after coachs blunder

The biggest blunder of speedskater Sven Kramers career cost him a second Olympic title and handed South Koreas Lee Seung-hoon the most unexpected gold medal of the Vancouver Games on Tuesday. The world champion was disqualified despite posting the fastest time in the 10,000 metres after failing to switch lanes properly.

World-record holder Kramer was an overwhelming favourite to add the 10,000 title to his victory in the 5,000. But the gold medal was awarded instead to Lee in an Olympic-record time of 12:58.55.

Kramer blamed his coach for wrongly pointing him down the inside lane on the 17th of 25 laps,but said: At the end of the day,it is my responsibility. Kramer raised his arms in triumph after crossing the line,moments before coach Gerard Kemkers skated over to tell him of the disqualification. Kramer reacted with disbelief,kicking the ice. Kemkers took the blame,adding that when the realisation hit him: I knew my world had just collapsed on me.