Suzanne Schulting (NED) competing during the Women's 1000m Final at the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing, China. © Getty Images
“Flying Dutchwoman” Suzanne Schulting (NED) is aiming at a fourth medal in the 1500m at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games, while the Men enter an open battle for the 5000m Relay as the Olympic Short Track competition concludes Wednesday at the Beijing Capital Indoor Stadium.
Schulting faces tough competition
Schulting has been a top star in Beijing, claiming gold in the 1000m and 3000m Relay as well as silver in the 500m. She also set a new world record in the 1000m and an Olympic record in the 500m. Now with the 1500m ahead, she has a chance to get her third gold in China and her sixth Olympic medal overall.
However, the field is deep and the challengers are hungry. Minjeong Choi (KOR) is the 2018 Olympic Champion over this distance. “Blonde Arrow” Arianna Fontana (ITA) would like to add an 11th Olympic medal to her impressive record. In Beijing, she struck gold in the 500m and silver with the Mixed Relay.
Others to watch include Kim Boutin (CAN), Hanne Desmet (BEL), Kristen Santos (USA), who so far has been unlucky in Beijing, World Cup leader Yubin Lee (KOR) and Courtney Sarault (CAN).
Exciting battle to be expected in the 5000m Relay
The Men’s 5000m Relay Final looks open after the 2018 Olympic Champions Hungary surprisingly crashed out in the semifinal and will compete only in the B-Final. Competition should be interesting with five top teams in the Final.
China with Beijing Olympic Champions Dajing Wu and Ziwei Ren on their team has high hopes to take the gold on home ice.
Tommaso Dotti (ITA) , Charles Hamelin (CAN) and Ziwei Ren (CHN) compete during the Men's 5000m Relay Semifinals at the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing, China.© Getty Images
Korea can count on their 1500m Olympic Champion Daeheon Hwang. Canada comes with legendary Charles Hamelin and two-time Olympic medalist Steven Dubois. ROC has Beijing medalists Konstantin Ivliev and Semen Elistratov. Team Italy will race as well. There are five teams in the Final A after the Chinese were advanced. Competition starts with the 1500m quarterfinals on Wednesday.
Shaoang Liu (HUN), Konstantin Ivliev (ROC), Abzal Azhgaliyev (KAZ) and Steven Dubois (CAN) compete in the final A of the men's 500m short track speed skating at the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing, China ©AFP
