China's men's speed skating team achieved a historic breakthrough at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics on February 16, advancing to the semifinals of the team pursuit event for the first time since its Olympic introduction in 2006. The trio of Liu Hanbin, Wu Yu, and Li Wenhao delivered a standout performance with a time of 3:41.66, edging out traditional powerhouses like the Netherlands by 0.19 seconds.
The Chinese team demonstrated exceptional consistency across all laps, ranking among the top three in split times among eight competing nations. Their quarterfinal victory secured a spot alongside Italy, the United States, and the Netherlands in Tuesday's semifinals.
"This result is both unexpected and earned," said Li Wenhao. "Our training over the past three months has shown steady improvement. We're ready to push even harder in the next races."
The semifinal appearance marks a significant milestone for China's winter sports program, particularly in a discipline long dominated by European teams. Analysts note the team's strategic pacing and technical execution could challenge for a podium finish as competition intensifies.
