China secured its first-ever Olympic medal in speed skating's team pursuit event at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Games, claiming bronze in a heart-stopping race against the Netherlands on Tuesday. The trio of Liu Hanbin, Wu Yu, and Li Wenhao edged their Dutch rivals by 0.09 seconds, clocking 3:41.38 in Final B to etch their names in winter sports history.
"We fought as one unit with a single purpose – to bring glory to our nation," said Li Wenhao, his voice trembling with emotion during the post-race interview. The victory came during Lunar New Year celebrations, adding cultural significance to the athletic achievement for Chinese audiences worldwide.
Liu Hanbin, who earlier made waves with a 17th-place finish in the 5,000 meters, described the team's razor-thin margin of victory as "electrifying." Teammate Ning Zhongyan, a 1,000-meter bronze medalist who participated in the semifinals, called the result "a transformative moment for Chinese speed skating."
While Italy claimed gold in Final A with a time of 3:39.20, China's breakthrough performance dominated headlines across Asia. The women's events saw Canada retain its team pursuit crown, with Japan securing bronze against the United States.
