But the fact it propelled American teen idol Apolo Anton Ohno to gold, and sparked wild celebration at the Salt Lake Ice Center, made it all the more galling for the Koreans.

BBC: Russians question their hosts

Combined with the retirement of Lance Armstrong, the diminished reputation of Tiger Woods, and the fading of interest in 2010 winter Olympians like Apolo Anton Ohno and Shaun White, the mini-rally has launched three Nascar drivers into the ranks of the most influential athletes.

FORBES

She took a touring gymnastics show to more than 30 US states and graced the sofas of TV superstars Jay Leno, David Letterman and Ellen DeGeneres, before becoming the third Olympic gold medallist to win Dancing With The Stars (the other two being short-track speed skater Apolo Anton Ohno and figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi).

BBC: US gymnast Shawn Johnson seeks focus to succeed in 2012