Gold medalist Bart Swings of Belgium poses during the awarding ceremony of speed skating men's mass start at the Beijing Medals Plaza of the Winter Olympics in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 19, 2022. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)
BEIJING, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- Belgian skater Bart Swings grabbed the gold medal in the men's mass start speed skating competition at the Beijing Winter Olympics here on Saturday.
The 31-year-old PyeongChang silver medalist finished the 16-lap race with 63 sprint points.
"This is insane. From silver to gold, it's incredible. I always want to raise the bar to the next level, and after silver comes gold," said Swings after the race.
Chung Jae-won and Lee Seung-hoon of South Korea finished second and third with 40 and 20 points respectively.
"This is so glorious. This is my first bronze medal in the Olympic Games. I am so satisfied," said defending champion Lee.
Chinese skater Ning Zhongyan ranked 12th in seven minutes and 48.07 seconds.
"This is my first Olympics and I think it is OK. I am still young, so I will keep moving on," said the 22-year-old. ■
Bart Swings (L) of Belgium competes during the speed skating men's mass start final of Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics at the National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 19, 2022. (Xinhua/Wang Fei)
Ning Zhongyan (2nd L) competes duing the speed skating men's mass start final of Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics at the National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 19, 2022. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng)
Bart Swings of Belgium reacts after the speed skating men's mass start final of Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics at the National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 19, 2022. (Xinhua/Ding Xu)
Ning Zhongyan (C) competes duing the speed skating men's mass start final of Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics at the National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 19, 2022. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng)
Bart Swings (L) of Belgium competes during the speed skating men's mass start final of Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics at the National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 19, 2022. (Xinhua/Wang Fei)
Ning Zhongyan (C) competes duing the speed skating men's mass start final of Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics at the National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 19, 2022. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng)
Gold medalist Bart Swings of Belgium reacts during the awarding ceremony of speed skating men's mass start at the Beijing Medals Plaza of the Winter Olympics in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 19, 2022. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)
Bronze medalist Lee Seung Hoon of South Korea poses during the awarding ceremony of speed skating men's mass start at the Beijing Medals Plaza of the Winter Olympics in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 19, 2022. (Xinhua/Xue Yuge)
Gold medalist Thomas Krol of the Netherlands poses during the awarding ceremony of speed skating men's 1000m at the Beijing Medals Plaza of the Winter Olympics in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 19, 2022. (Xinhua/Xue Yuge)
Gold medalist Thomas Krol of the Netherlands reacts during the awarding ceremony of speed skating men's 1000m at the Beijing Medals Plaza of the Winter Olympics in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 19, 2022. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)
Gold medalist Thomas Krol of the Netherlands poses during the awarding ceremony of speed skating men's 1000m at the Beijing Medals Plaza of the Winter Olympics in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 19, 2022. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)
Bronze medalist Lee Seung Hoon of South Korea poses during the awarding ceremony of speed skating men's mass start at the Beijing Medals Plaza of the Winter Olympics in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 19, 2022. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)
Gold medalist Bart Swings (C) of Belgium, silver medalist Chung Jae Won (L) of South Korea and bronze medalist Lee Seung Hoon of South Korea pose during the awarding ceremony of speed skating men's mass start at the Beijing Medals Plaza of the Winter Olympics in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 19, 2022. (Xinhua/Xue Yuge)
Silver medalist Chung Jae Won of South Korea poses during the awarding ceremony of speed skating men's mass start at the Beijing Medals Plaza of the Winter Olympics in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 19, 2022. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)
Gold medalist Bart Swings (C) of Belgium, silver medalist Chung Jae Won (L) of South Korea and bronze medalist Lee Seung Hoon of South Korea attend the flower ceremony after the speed skating men's mass start final of Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics at the National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 19, 2022. (Xinhua/Wu Wei)
