MILAN, Feb. 21 (Xinhua) -- Short track speed skating at Milan-Cortina 2026 concluded on Friday with China winning only one medal - a silver by Sun Long in the men's 1,000 meters. It marked the first time since the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City that the Chinese team failed to win a gold medal in the discipline.
The result is a major disappointment for a squad long regarded as a powerhouse in short track.
On the men's side, Sun Long and teammate Liu Shaoang both reached the 1,500m final A, but were taken out of medal contention after being impeded by other skaters. In the 500m, Liu's victory in final B stood as the team's best result. The men's 5,000m relay team, once considered a strong gold contender, faltered due to a mistake in the semifinal and was left to compete only in final B.
Another key skater, Lin Xiaojun, widely viewed as a medal hopeful in the sprint and middle distances, underperformed in Milan. His best individual finish was 14th in the 500m. His poor form weakened China's relay competitiveness and complicated lineup decisions throughout the competition.
The women's team, overall weaker than their men's counterparts, showed some encouraging signs. Gong Li reached the women's 1,000m final A, and 19-year-old Yang Jingru placed fourth in the women's 1,500m. In the 500m, however, only veteran Fan Kexin reached final B. China also failed to make final A in the women's 3,000m relay.
The Netherlands emerged as the dominant force in Milan, collecting five golds, one silver and one bronze. Xandra Velzeboer captured the women's 500m title in world-record time and added gold in the 1,000m. Jens Van't Wout won both the men's 1,000m and 1,500m, took bronze in the 500m - where his older brother Melle claimed silver - and helped secure gold in the men's 5,000m relay.
"When you're on a wave, and the momentum is there, the dominoes start falling, and you have to stay on the wave," said Dutch coach Niels Kerstholt, crediting the squad's mutual support. "They are humble and nice people but you also need tigers, fighters. We have a great generation."
Traditional powerhouse South Korea also delivered strong performances, winning the women's 3,000m relay and claiming both gold and silver in the women's 1,500m to finish with seven medals overall.
Despite decent performances, Canada still failed to live up to expectations. The 2025 ISU Crystal Globe winner Courtney Sarault reached four podiums, Steven Dubois won the men's 500m, and William Dandjinou took silver in the mixed relay. Canada also medaled in both the women's 3,000m relay and the mixed relay.
Host nation Italy celebrated another standout performance from Arianna Fontana. She helped secure gold in the mixed relay, added silver in the 500m and silver in the women's relay, bringing her Olympic medal tally to 14 and making her the most decorated Olympian in Italian history. ■
