China's short track speed skating team finished fourth in the mixed team relay at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics on February 10, clocking 2:39.601 with skaters Liu Shaoang, Sun Long, Gong Li, and Zhang Chutong. Host nation Italy claimed gold in 2:39.019, while Canada secured silver (2:39.258) and Belgium bronze (2:39.353).
The result marks a shift for China, which earned silver in both the 2022 and 2024 Winter Olympics. Early rounds saw strategic roster changes, with Wang Xinran replacing Zhang Chutong in the quarterfinals and Liu Shaoang taking over for Lin Xiaojun in the semifinals. The team narrowly missed the podium after finishing 0.893 seconds behind Italy in their semifinal heat.
Analysts note the intense competition reflects evolving training strategies across nations, with European teams making significant advances in recent years. The event drew particular attention from Asian diaspora communities, as short track speed skating remains one of the region's most followed winter sports.
