Beijing, China, February 13, 2022: The Netherlands’ women’s short track team needed an Olympic record time to hold off Korea and China in the final of the 3,000 metres relay at the Capital Indoor Stadium on Sunday night.
In doing so, the Netherlands became only the fourth National Olympic Committee - and the first from Europe - to claim gold in this relay race, along with Korea (six gold medals), Canada (one gold) and China (one gold). The silver was Korea’s seventh Olympic medal in nine relay races.
Korea finished second in 4:03.627 and China took the bronze in 4:03.863.
The anchor of the Korean team, Choi Min-jeong, won her second silver medal of Beijing 2022 following her second-place finish in the women’s 1,000 metres on February 11.
Another member of the Korean team, Kim A-lang, was winning her third medal in this race after gold in 2014 and 2018. She admitted that team spirit and unity had led to the silver medal.
“It was one team, one for all, and that is why this silver medal means so much to me,” Kim said.
“Many people wanted us to win the relay for the third time. That could have been a pressure. But we tried to forget the pressure.
"But since we are a team, and we had one member who is in the Olympics for the first time, we wanted to win a medal no matter what the colour is and stand on the podium together.
“We said we will show the world all that we have and have no regrets and that will be okay. The colour of the medal does not matter as long as we did our best.
“When I skated today, I realised you have to do something, or nothing will happen. I knew I had to at least give it a try. I think I did my best. I gave it everything I had. I am proud of myself and thought I did very well.”
Fan Kexin, who won gold for China in the mixed relay on the first day of short track competition on February 5, kissed the ice in celebration – an action that prompted suggestions she might be calling it a day.
“It is not the end. I am not retiring. I finally got an Olympic bronze. I think this is just a start for me,” Fan said.
“I talked to a journalist and they said a 50-year-old had won a short track medal, and I am only 29, so I think I am still capable. I still love this event.
“I did kiss the ice because I want to thank the fans. I want to thank the strength and the power of our country that can host the Olympic Games, to show our power in front of everyone and the power of our team.”
She added that she still had a big role to play as an athlete in the short track team.
“My task will be to help more athletes and give them my strength and power to help them win more medals. I still want to fight together with my teammates,” she said.
“I try to enjoy this happiness and enjoy these moments with them. Sometimes it is the days in training when we can't even speak from being so tired and there is even blood in our throats. I still enjoy this time together.”
