PyeongChang Day 12: China’s appeal declined, Norway skate to stunning victory

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China’s appeal for disqualification in short track speed skating women’s 3000m relay final at the PyeongChang Olympics was declined by the International Skating Union (ISU) on Wednesday. The reason is that China did not appeal within 30 minutes after the match.

A team of China in action during Women's Team Pursuit competition finals. /VCG Photo

In other results yesterday, China took on Germany in women's speed skating team pursuit event. It dispatched Li Dan, Liu Jing and Hao Jiacheng for the competition, and finally ranked the fifth in a time of 3 minutes and 0.04 seconds, which is 4.63 seconds ahead of Germany.

The result is 0.03 seconds slower than they got in the quarter-finals. This is the best-ever result China has got in the Winter Olympics.

Japan claimed gold after dethroning defending champions the Netherlands.

Team Norway celebrate on the podium during the men's team pursuit speed skating event venue ceremony. /VCG Photo

Over to the men's team pursuit, Norway skated to a stunning victory, taking gold ahead of hosts South Korea as defending champions the Netherlands wilted. Norway defeated Netherland in the semi-finals by breaking the Olympic record, and they finally finished in 3 minutes and 37.31 seconds to grab the gold, 1.21 seconds ahead of South Korea.

Jessica Diggins of the United States (L) stretches across the finish line to win gold during the Cross Country Ladies' Team Sprint Free Final. /VCG Photo

Meanwhile, the US women's cross-country skiing team came from behind to beat Sweden to the gold medal by just one-tenth of a second in the sprint free final. It's the first-ever gold for the US in an Olympic cross-country skiing event.

Over to the men's side, Norway won gold with Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo secured his second gold medal of the tournament. Olympic Athletes from Russia took silver and the bronze went to France.

Finland celebrate after defeating Olympic Athletes from Russia 3-2 during the Women's Ice Hockey Bronze Medal game. /VCG Photo

Finland won its third Olympic bronze medal in women's ice hockey after upsetting Olympic Athletes from Russia 3-2. The two teams both exhibited strong power with the same 22 attempts, but Finland proved to be better in defense. Powerhouse Canada and the United States will clash in the final on Thursday, a replay of the showdown in Sochi four years ago.

Mariama Jamanka (L) and Lisa Buckwitz of Germany celebrate winning gold during the Women's Bobsleigh heats. /VCG Photo

Germany's Mariama Jamanka and Lisa Buckwitz won gold in the two-woman bobsleigh competition. They finished just 0.07 seconds ahead of reigning world champion the USA. Canada's two-time Olympic champion Kaillie Humphries and her partner Phylicia George had to settle for the bronze.

After 12 full-day competitions, Norway lead the medal tally with 13 golds and a total of 33 medals. Germany follows with 12 golds and 24 medals while Canada comes at third. The Netherlands is right behind, followed by France and the US. China stays at 19th with seven medals overall.