Viktor An

Viktor An, born on November 23, 1985, is a retired short-track speed skater and current coach, renowned for his extraordinary achievements in the sport. Originally from South Korea, An has made a significant mark in the world of short-track speed skating, amassing a total of eight Olympic medals, including six gold and two bronze. He is celebrated as the only athlete in Olympic history to secure gold in every distance and the first to earn a medal in every distance at a single Games.

His illustrious career includes three gold medals at the 2006 Winter Olympics and another three at the 2014 Winter Olympics, making him the holder of the most Olympic gold medals in short track speed skating. An's dominance is further highlighted by his six overall World Championship titles from 2003 to 2007 and in 2014, along with two overall World Cup victories in the 2003-04 and 2005-06 seasons.

In 2008, An faced a setback due to a knee injury, which hindered his recovery in time for the Vancouver 2010 qualifiers. Following a slow recovery and the dissolution of his South Korean team, he became a Russian citizen in 2011, aiming to continue his Olympic aspirations. His decision to join the Russian team was met with public uproar in South Korea, yet many fans understood his motivations. An's gold medal win at the Sochi Olympics in 2014 validated his choice, as he sought the best training environment.

After retiring from competitive skating in April 2020, An returned to South Korea in 2023, seeking to contribute as a coach for Seongnam's short track speed skating team. However, his past decisions led to significant public opposition, particularly amid the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War and his coaching role with the Chinese team during the 2022 Winter Olympics. Despite the backlash, An clarified that he had donated his Olympic pension to support children in need and junior players in Korea.

Ultimately, An's application for the coaching position was denied due to public sentiment. Nevertheless, he made a comeback as a sports leader, being named a coach in the 2023-2024 national team trials, demonstrating his enduring commitment to the sport and the younger generation of athletes.