Short-track star Charles Hamelin advances to Olympic 1,500-metre final

SOCHI, Russia – Charles Hamelin is through to the final of the men’s 1,500-metre short-track speedskating final at the Sochi Olympics.

The Ste-Julie, Que., native, a double gold medallist at the Vancouver Olympics, won his semifinal in two minutes 14.480 seconds.

Viktor Ahn also advanced, finishing second in his heat skating for his new country of Russia.

Ahn was a three-time gold medallist for his native South Korea, but after missing the Winter Olympics four years ago, he changed his name and became a Russian citizen.

Also moving on to Monday’s final were American J.R. Celski, China’s Tianyu Han and Dequan Chen and Jack Whelbourne of Britain.

China’s Shi Jingnan was knocked out of his heat when he lost his footing in a turn near the end of the 14-lap race, sliding into the padded boards.

Canadians Francois Hamelin, Charles’ brother, and Michael Gilday didn’t advance to the final.

Charles Hamelin is a multi-medal threat in Sochi though the 1,500 metres is not his best event.