ISU unconventionally explains disqualifications in short-track women's 3,000m relay final

PYEONGCHANG - International Skating Union Wednesday illustrated the penalties that disqualified China and Canada in the short-track women's 3,000m relay final after both teams expressed confusion at the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics.

China and Canada were both disqualified after crossing the finish line second and third in Tuesday's final. The referees reviewed the game video for several minutes before making the decision.

ISU, world governing body of skating, unconventionally released the images that "were reviewed by the referees and resulted in the penalties for China and Canada" .

"During China's final relay exchange, the activate Chinese skater (Fan Kexin) drastically changed lane from the outside to the inside, impeding the active (South) Korean skater (Choi Min-jeong)," the ISU statement said.

"In the case of Canada, a non-competing skater on the ice crossed over and impeded the action at the finish lane."

ISU said that the rules for the relay stipulate that all skaters in the relay team can get a penalty.

ISU would make no further explanation while the statement didn't mention the crash when South Korean Kim A-lang's slip caused Canada's Valerie Maltaisto to fall, with Italy also crashing on the same corner.

China filed a protest about the disqualification, which was dismissed for failing to meet the deadline of 30 minutes after the competition.