1,000 metres, Men

Nearly everybody expected this event to be won by the incumbent, Shani Davis. Since his Torino championship, Davis had continued to dominate this distance. In 2007 and 2008 he had won the world title, and in 2008 and 2009 claimed the 1,000 m World Cup. On 7 March 2009, Davis became the first man to beat 1:07 in the event, lowering the world record considerably to 1:06.42. And Davis had been quite untouchable during the running season as well, winning each of the four World Cup races contested prior to the Games. Davis’s status of a favourite was even further increased by the fact that the other skaters behind him had not performed consistently, and the podium was essentially open to about 10 skaters.

Shani Davis also enjoyed the advantage of having drawn the last pair, and could watch his opponents prior to taking the ice himself. When he did, the fastest time had been set by Mo Tae-Beom, the surprising winner of the 500 m. The Korean had posted the fastest splits of the race in his duel with Chad Hedrick. As usual, the 2006 5,000 m champion, posted a strong final lap, but Mo held on to win in 1:09.12, two tenths ahead of Hedrick. While not known for his quick openers, Davis trailed Mo’s early splits by less than three tenths, then pulled away in the final 400 m to win in 1:08.94. This made Davis the first repeat winner of the men’s 1,000 m.