Poor ice conditions in spotlight again at Games

Poor ice conditions at Milan's Olympic rink took a toll on Team China's medal prospects again on Monday, when a late stumble by Liu Shaoang meant the Chinese short-track speed skating squad failed to advance into the men's 5,000m relay final at Milano-Cortina 2026.

The error by Liu, apparently caused by a sudden lack of grip on melting ice, happened on the last lap of the 5,000m relay semifinals, while he was trailing Canada's William Dandjinou, slowing Liu enough to let Italy's Pietro Sighel overtake and finish second.

The top-two teams in each of the two semifinal groups advanced into Friday's Final A, to compete for medals, while Team China, ranked third in its group, will race in Final B to compete for rankings.

It was the second time Team China had suffered such an issue in the relays, after Sun Long lost speed coming out of a corner on Feb 10 because of a slip during the mixed 2,000m relay Final A.

"It was really a pity today that we couldn't advance, even though everyone on our team had performed really well," said a disappointed Liu after the race at the Milano Ice Skating Arena. "It was on me that I pushed too hard in the corner trying to defend my position in second, yet it was the ice that wasn't hard enough to hold me up.

"I would not blame it on a lack of luck. It was my responsibility, after all, and I felt I failed my teammates. It was so hard today for me."

Liu was also tripped by the United Kingdom's Niall Treacy in another "bad luck" moment two days earlier, crashing off the track during the 1,500m Final A.

"We have what it takes to be in the Final A and to go for a medal," Liu said. "Everyone was doing their best and we really had momentum. It's just so tough to end it this way."

In the earlier women's 1,000m Final A, China's Gong Li finished in fifth, her best individual Olympic result in Italy.