China disqualified in women's 3,000m relay

The Chinese team was disqualified in the women's short track speed skating 3,000-meter relay final on Tuesday, as archrival South Korea took the gold.

South Korea's Shim Suk-hee (R) leads South Korea's skating team to a first place finish during the women's 3,000 metres short track speed skating relay final event in the Iceberg Skating Palace at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic Games February 18, 2014. China's Li Jianrou is seen behind her. [Photo/Agencies]

Shim Suk-hee of South Korea overtook China's Li Jianrou in the final lap to cross the finishing line first. But Canada was promoted to silver and Italy to bronze, when the Chinese team was disqualified for impeding.

The Korean team of Cho Ha-ri, Kim A-lang, Park Seung-hi and Shim finished in 4 minutes, 09.498 seconds, with Canada crossing the line in 4:10.641. Arianna Fontana of Italy fell during an exchange midway through the race, causing Italy to fall off the pace, but the Italians secured the final medal position because of the Chinese team being penalized.

"I don't think Zhou Yang blocked the way of the other teams. But that was the decision of the judges. We cannot change it," China's head coach, Li Yan, said.

Four years ago at the Vancouver Winter Olympics, the Chinese team was promoted to gold after the South Korean team was disqualified.

It's not just luck, Chinese short track coach says	Zhang brings hope to China's speed skating	Han wins China's first medal in Sochi