1. Overview
Simon Cho is a retired Korean American short track speed skater who earned a bronze medal representing the United States at the 2010 Winter Olympics in the 5000 meter relay. His career, marked by significant athletic achievements, was also shaped by the challenges of his early life as an undocumented immigrant and a notable controversy involving equipment tampering. This document explores his journey from a difficult childhood to an Olympic medalist, and his transition to coaching, offering a balanced view of his legacy.
2. Early Life and Background
Simon Cho's early life was defined by his family's journey from South Korea to the United States and the significant sacrifices made to support his athletic aspirations.
2.1. Birth, Immigration, and Childhood
Simon Cho (조성문Jo Seong-munKorean) was born on October 7, 1991, in Seoul, South Korea. At the age of four, he moved to the United States with his parents, entering as undocumented immigrants and settling in Chicago. He remained an undocumented immigrant until he was 11 years old, with his family subsequently obtaining permanent residency in 2001 and United States citizenship in 2004.
2.2. Overcoming Hardship and Family Sacrifice
Growing up as an undocumented immigrant, Cho recalled facing substantial financial difficulties. He noted that his parents worked tirelessly, often leaving for work before he woke up and returning after he had gone to sleep. There were times when the family endured periods without water or electricity due to an inability to pay bills, and even common daily activities, such as his father obtaining a driver's license, were challenging. Recognizing his talent in speed skating, his parents made a profound sacrifice: they sold their business and spent their savings to relocate to Salt Lake City after he graduated from junior high school, solely to enable him to train for the sport.
3. Skating Career
Simon Cho's professional skating career saw him rise through the ranks, compete in the Olympics, and achieve success at World Championships, despite facing significant financial hurdles.
3.1. Early Training and National Team Selection
Cho began skating at the young age of three and turned professional in 2008. He initially trained in Salt Lake City before moving back to Upper Marlboro, Maryland, a year prior to the United States Olympic Team Trials. During this period, he initially quit speed skating because he failed to qualify for performance grants from the United States Olympic Committee and US Speedskating. These grants were crucial to offset the substantial training costs, which amounted to around 40.00 K USD annually. Despite the financial strain and his own doubts about his chances, Cho, at 18, unexpectedly qualified for the 2010 U.S. Olympic team. His teammate, Apolo Ohno, remarked that Cho "basically made this team training on his own." Cho credits Ohno and Shani Davis as mentors who helped him navigate challenges as a person of color in the sport.
3.2. 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics
At the Vancouver Olympics, Simon Cho competed in two events: the 500 meter individual race and the 5000 meter relay. His significant achievement came in the 5000 meter relay, where he earned a bronze medal after participating in the semifinals.
3.3. World Championships Performance
Cho achieved notable success at various World Short Track Speed Skating Championships. In 2010, at the World Championships in Sofia, he secured a silver medal in the 5000 meter relay. The following year, at the 2011 World Championships held in Sheffield, he won a gold medal in the 500 meter event, marking a significant individual achievement. He also earned a bronze medal in the 5000 meter relay at the same 2011 championships. His highest rankings included 8th in the 500 meter event and 15th overall.
4. Equipment Tampering Controversy
A major controversy surrounding equipment tampering significantly impacted Simon Cho's career, leading to a suspension and altering the course of his athletic journey.
4.1. Incident Details and Admission
On August 27, 2013, Simon Cho admitted to a serious incident of equipment sabotage. The incident occurred during the 2011 World Short Track Speed Skating Team Championships, where he tampered with the skates of his Canadian rival, Olivier Jean. Cho stated that he had acted under an explicit order from his coach, Jae-Su Chun.
4.2. Suspension and Impact
As a direct consequence of his admission, Simon Cho received a two-year suspension from competitive events. This suspension was effective until October 4, 2014. The ban prevented him from qualifying for or participating in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, effectively ending his competitive short track speed skating career at the Olympic level.
5. Post-Skating Career
Following his retirement from competitive skating due to the suspension, Simon Cho transitioned into a coaching role and has maintained an active personal life.
5.1. Coaching Activities
After his competitive career concluded, Simon Cho became the head coach of the Potomac Speedskating Club, which is now based in Wheaton, Maryland, having previously been associated with Arlington County, Virginia. Under his leadership, the club has established itself as one of the top-ranked speed skating clubs in the United States. Evidence of the club's success includes winning the Short Track National Club Championship in the 2016-2017 season (March 2017) and achieving back-to-back team championships at the Buffalo Short Track Championships on October 21-22, 2017.
5.2. Personal Life and Interests
Simon Cho currently resides in Rockville, Maryland. Outside of his coaching responsibilities, he maintains an active personal life, with interests including watching various sports, engaging with documentaries, and attending concerts.
6. Legacy and Assessment
Simon Cho's legacy in short track speed skating is complex, encompassing both his notable athletic achievements and the significant controversy that cast a shadow over his career.
6.1. Overall Assessment
Simon Cho's career is a compelling narrative of ambition, achievement, and adversity. His early life as an undocumented immigrant from South Korea to the United States, overcoming financial hardships and relying on immense family sacrifice, highlights a powerful story of perseverance. Athletically, he achieved the pinnacle of his sport by winning an Olympic bronze medal and a World Championship gold, demonstrating his talent and dedication. However, the equipment tampering incident and his subsequent suspension profoundly impacted his public image and career trajectory. His admission of sabotaging a rival's equipment, particularly his assertion of acting under a coach's orders, raised questions about ethical boundaries in competitive sports and the pressures faced by athletes. Despite the controversy, his post-skating transition to a successful coaching role at the Potomac Speedskating Club demonstrates his continued commitment to the sport and his ability to contribute positively to the development of new talent. Ultimately, Cho's legacy serves as a testament to both the heights of athletic success and the serious consequences of ethical breaches, while also underscoring his personal resilience in overcoming significant life challenges.