Canadian speedskater Kim Boutin should have experienced one of the happiest moments of her life when she received an Olympic medal on Wednesday, but the moment was bittersweet for her in the wake of what unfolded the day before.
Boutin crossed the finish line in fourth at the women’s 500 meter event on Tuesday, but she ended up taking home the bronze when judges disqualified South Korean Choi Min-jeong for interference. Many fans were furious and felt Boutin initiated the contact, which led to angry comments and even at least one reported death threat toward Boutin on social media.
As she accepted her bronze medal on Wednesday, Boutin had tears streaming down her face.
Kim Boutin, subjected to online abuse, breaks down in tears during emotional medal ceremony #PyeongChang2018 https://t.co/byoy4ZIpDQ pic.twitter.com/sh2MOj6OVc
— CBC Olympics (@CBCOlympics) February 14, 2018
While some angles appeared to show that Boutin initiated contact with Choi the second time Choi tried to pass her, the onus is on the passer to avoid making contact. Judges felt that Choi failed to do that.
Whether the right call was made or not, it’s unfortunate that the result led to such backlash. No one deserves to be threatened over a speedskating race — no matter what the circumstances.
