Flash

Wang Meng defends 500m short track gold

(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-02-18 12:35

VANCOUVER - Favourite Wang Meng of China retained her Olympic title in the women's 500 metres short track speedskating on Wednesday.

Wang Meng of China holds a national flag as she celebrates her gold medal in the women's 500 metres short track speed skating event during the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics, February 17, 2010. [Photo/Agencies]

Home favourite Marianne St Gelais celebrated her 20th birthday with a silver medal, while Italy's Arianna Fontana picked up the bronze.

Starting from the favoured inside position, Wang led from the outset and crossed the line with several metres of daylight between her and the rest of the field.

Rivals had said before the competition that it would take a mistake from Wang for anyone else to take gold, and were really just fighting for the two other medals. They were right.