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.  [Special coverage]

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.