Jong's second attempt wasn't much better as he again collided with Watanabe and crashed into the wall of the rink. He was penalised, bringing an end to his Olympic campaign, which lasted around three seconds in total.
After the race USA Today reporter Martin Rogers attempted to interview Jong, who he said "wore the kind of look you'd expect from someone who might have to go home and explain to a military regime with nuclear weapons why you performed so badly while representing your country". But "when asked for comment, Jong turned his head the other way and kept walking".
His rivals were prepared to cut him some slack. Watanabe described Jong's trip as a "reflex" and his coach, Jonathan Guilmette brushed the moment off as something that "happens at least once every World Cup event".
American Thomas Hong, who was hampered by Jong's second crash, was also generous. "It did affect me because I was just too close," Hong told USA Today. "But unpredictability and short track just go hand-in-hand."
But some viewers were less inclined to overlook the move as a normal part of speed skating.
