Skater admits to tampering charges

SALT LAKE CITY — Olympic speedskater Simon Cho admitted Friday to tampering with a Canadian rival's skates, but claimed he did so under pressure from his coach. He called it the "biggest mistake of my life."

"I am deeply embarrassed and sad to confirm certain allegations that have been made in the arbitration demand brought by a group of my fellow speedskaters against U.S. Speedskating and the coaches," Cho said in a statement issued by his attorney Friday morning.

Cho's comments confirmed one allegation made in the arbitration demand that seeks to permanently remove U.S. coach Chun Jae Su. Chun has denied any wrongdoing but is suspended.

Cho said the tampering occurred at the 2011 World Team Championships in Poland after he had already been eliminated from the competition.

"Although the skate belonged to Olivier Jean, I had no intention to single him out," Cho said in the statement. "It was the biggest mistake of my life and one that I regret with all my heart. I apologize to Olivier and the Canadian team — I have great respect for Olivier and the Canadian team and have never held any bad feelings toward them. I also apologize to all those involved in speedskating for my poor judgment and bad sportsmanship."

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LDP committee lends its support to skater Tran

The Liberal Democratic Party's sports advisory committee that works to fortify national sports said Thursday it will place its support behind world pairs bronze medalist Mervin Tran, who is trying to obtain Japanese citizenship in hope of competing for Japan at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.

The committee will make the push on behalf of Tran to a cross-party parliamentry group that backs sports.

Japanese Olympic Committee President Tsunekazu Takeda said at an executive board meeting the same day that the JOC "is willing to make a special request (on behalf of Tran) to the government if necessary."

The 21-year-old Tran, who is Canadian, won a bronze in the pair's competition at this year's world championships with Japan's Narumi Takahashi. Tran also helped Japan to its first title at the World Team Trophy on Saturday.

In principle, five years of residency is required to become a naturalized Japanese citizen. However, exceptions have been made for foreigners who offer special services, as could be the case with Tran.

Japan Skating Federation chief Seiko Hashimoto, a member of the House of Councillors, stressed Tran's proven track record of excellence.

"I would like for him to join the Japanese team for the Olympics. Somehow we need to get the approval of the Diet to clear the way for him," Hashimoto said.

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