The 2010 Vancouver Games 5,000m runner-up, Lee Seung Hoon is trying to leave behind his disappointing 12th finish Saturday at the Sochi Winter Olympics and focus on defending the 10,000m title Feb 18.
On finishing 12th in six minutes and 25.61 seconds after starting as a medal favourite, the South Korean did not stop for interviews.
The Netherlands made a clean sweep of the podium as Sven Kramer successfully defended the 5,000m title in Olympic record time of 6.10 min to clinch the 100th gold medal in the men's Olympic speed skating at the Adler Arena, reports Xinhua.
"I was confident that I could race well and I had no nerves the night before, but when I walked into the arena the nerves started. I was not sick and I had no physical problems. I have been training in France and the Netherlands and now in Russia and that is three countries in three weeks," said Lee.
Lee will face great challenge from Kramer, who missed the title in Vancouver after being disqualified for lane changing.
"I regret the result but now I must try to forget it and get ready for the 10,000m and the team pursuit," he said.