Chinese athletes opened the International Skating Union (ISU) World Speed Skating Championships in Hamar, Norway, with a victory in the men's team sprint on Thursday.

Xue Zhiwen, Lian Ziwen and Ning Zhongyan competed in the third group against a South Korean squad. Asian Games champion Ning skated the last leg and helped China win the race in 1:18.13. The Netherlands came in second after clocking 1:18.42, while the USA rounded out the podium in 1:19.23.

In the women's race, China finished fifth in 1:30.41. The title went to the Netherlands, who finished the competition in 1:25.57. Canada crossed the line 1.66 seconds behind as the runners-up, and Poland rounded out the podium in third place in 1:27.80.