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Olympics LIVE: Denny Morrison fades to finish 13th in speed skating

February 17, 2010 Jim Byers

VANCOUVER – Canada’s chances of owning the podium at the Winter Olympics have suffered another blow.

Speed skater Denny Morrison of Calgary today finished a hugely disappointing 13th in the men's 1000 meter speedskating event.

Skating in front of a wildly enthusiastic crowd at the Richmond Oval, Morrison came out fairly well but weakened down the stretch and never had a chance.

The 24-year-old Morrison was considered a strong contender for a medal in the race, and also has a chance in the men's 1,500 and the team pursuit.

Canada remains stuck at five medals for the Olympics: two gold, two silver and one bronze.

The race was won by Shani Davis of the U.S., who hasn’t been defeated this year.

With American television personality Stephen Colbert dressed in a red shirt and clapping in the stands, Davis won the 1,000 metre gold for the second straight Winter Olympics.

Korea’s Mo Tae-Bum took silver, while Chad Hedrick of the U.S. copped the bronze.

Canada’s Jeremy Wotherspoon, who wasn’t expected to win a medal, also finished well back of the leaders in 14th place.

The U.S. is far, far ahead of Canada at this still early stage of the Games. The Americans have four gold, three silver and five bronze for 12 medals and a seven-medal lead on their neighbours to the north.