Korea’s Lee sets 500-metre world record at long-track speedskating World Cup

CALGARY – Sang-Hwa Lee of Korea set a 500 metre world record Sunday at the Essent World Cup speedskating event at Calgary’s Olympic Oval.

Lee’s time of 36.80 seconds eclipsed the 36.94 recorded by China’s Yu Jinh at the world sprint championships on the same oval on Jan. 29, 2012.

Heather Richardson of the United States was second in 37.42, while Margot Boer of the Netherlands won the bronze in 37.54.

The only Canadian entered, Anastasia Bucsis of Calgary, placed 16th in 38.45.

Jans Smeekens of the Netherlands won the men’s 500 in 34.39. Japan’s Joji Kato took silver in 24.44 and Michel Mulders of the Netherlands the bronze in 34.55.

Gilmore Junio of Calgary was the top Canadian, eighth in 34.71.

Men’s and women’s 1,000 metre races were scheduled for later in the day.