Sport: Liu Shaoang Misses Third Chance to Secure a Medal

The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina witnessed a series of exciting events, particularly in the speed skating discipline.

Liu Shaoang Misses Third Chance to Secure a Medal

In the men’s 1500-meter speed skating event, Dutch skater Jens van ‘t Wout triumphed, having previously won the 1000 meters. Canadian William Dandjinou also failed to reach the podium, alongside two-time Olympic champion Liu Shaoang, who is now competing for China.

Liu arrived in Milan with the intention of winning a medal but has not succeeded after three events. His final hope lies with the men’s relay.

Overview of Men’s 1500-Meter Event

• Winner: Jens van ‘t Wout (Netherlands) – 2:12.219
• Second Place: Hvang Taehon (South Korea) – 2:12.304
• Third Place: Robert Kruzbergs (Latvia) – 2:12.376
• Liu Shaoang’s Placement: 7th

In the quarter-finals, Liu Shaoang finished second in his heat with a time of 2:23.370, advancing to the semi-finals, while competitors Moon Wonjun and Nógrádi Bence failed to qualify.

Challenges for Liu Shaoang

In the final, Liu initially found himself at the back of the pack. After five laps, he made an aggressive move to the mid-pack. Unfortunately, a collision led to his downfall.

The British skater Niall Treacy, who caused the incident, was disqualified. Liu ended in 7th place, while his Chinese teammate Sun Long, who also collided, finished 8th.

Other Competitions and Results

In related news, the women’s 1000-meter qualification saw Hungarian skater Végi Diána Laura advance, while her compatriot Somodi Maja did not qualify. Additionally, the men’s giant slalom featured historic performances, with Lucas Pinheiro Braathen of Brazil winning gold.

Overall, the day was filled with highs and lows, showcasing both triumphant victories and missed opportunities at the Winter Olympics.

Summary of Key Events

As the games continue, hope remains for Liu Shaoang in the upcoming relay events, where he aims to achieve his long-desired Olympic success.