China win women's 3,000 relay gold

(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-02-25 11:53

VANCOUVER - China won Olympic gold in the women's short track 3,000 metres relay on Wednesday after four-times champions South Korea were disqualified while they were celebrating what they thought was their victory.

China's (L-R) Wang Meng, Sun Linlin, Zhang Hui and Zhou Yang celebrate after finding out they had won the gold medal in the women's 3000 metres relay short track speed skating final at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics February 24, 2010. [Photo/Agencies]

Canada took the silver, with the United States picking up the bronze.

South Korea's skaters had already started waving flags in joy after crossing the line ahead of the rest of the field but a lengthy referee review decided Kim Min-jung had impeded during an exchange push with six laps remaining.

Cheers turned to tears as the inconsolable South Koreans rushed past reporters without stopping to explain their mistake.

Instead it was China who stood on top of the podium, with Zhang Hui sporting a big white plaster over a cut she picked up during the chaotic race where there were 16 skaters on the ice in one go.

China have dominated the women's events in Vancouver, winning three out of three with individual golds for Wang Meng in the 500 metres and Zhou Yang in the 1,500 metres.

China's first Olympic relay gold came in a record time of four minutes 6.610 seconds thanks to a team featuring Sun Linlin, Wang, Zhang and Zhou.

With six laps remaining, Korea were trailing China and during an exchange thought they could overtake but Kim cut across China's path while trying make the pass.

China will know how the South Koreans feel after losing out on a medal in Turin four years ago when they were disqualified in the final after Wang impeded.