短道速滑女子1500米周洋卫冕

鸡蛋撞地球

Two gold medals at two consecutive Winter Olympics — but claimed with two different sets of feelings.

Having experienced ups and downs after the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Games, China's Zhou Yang successfully defended her Olympic title in the women's 1,500m short track speed skating at the Sochi Winter Olympic Games on Saturday.

Her victory came after years of trials following the 2010 Games.

"It had been very difficult for me in the past four years, and this moment finally came. I finally made it," the 22-year-old said after her win.

"I was in very bad condition after the last Olympics, and I used to think of giving up. But the whole team supported me, and my coach has never given up on me. I still had the dream to pursue. So, I came here to win."

At the final in Sochi, Zhou — the world record holder — skated near the front for the race's duration and avoided a three-skater collision mid-race.

She took the lead with one lap to go, edging out archrival Shim Suk-hee of South Korea.

Zhou finished in 2 minutes, 19.140 seconds and was followed by Shim, who took silver. The 500m silver medalist Arianna Fontana of Italy took the bronze.

It was China's third gold at the Sochi Games and the second one from short track speed skating.

China's Li Jianrou won the women's 500m on Thursday. Li did not finish the 1,000m race due to the collision.

"I was nervous at the beginning, but after I finished it I felt so thrilled," Zhou said.

"When I won four years ago, it was a dream come true, and I knew I could help my parents live better lives. But now, after experiencing a lot during the past four years, I didn't expect I could come back to the Olympic Games.

"I just wanted to do my best during training and competition. I'm very happy that I've stepped on the highest podium again."

The native of Northeast China's Jilin province was selected by a local coach for speed skating at the age of 8 and soon turned to short track. She entered the national team in 2006 and won the World Junior Championships immediately afterward with a gutsy display of power and pride.

Her form improved en route to the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games.

She blazed a new world record in the 1,500m in 2008. In addition to her gold in Vancouver, she also helped the Chinese team win the women's 3,000m relay.

But Zhou's performance bottomed out after Vancouver because of an injury and poor physical condition. She did not compete in any international competitions until the 2013-14 season, when she claimed two bronzes at the World Cup Series.

Coach Li Yan said Zhou has beaten herself.

"Being persistent is the spirit of China's short track speed skating team. We will never give up in the face of difficulties," Li said.

"Everyone could see Zhou's persistence. She conquered the injuries and the weak mindset to win."

Zhou vowed to continue the team's dominance in Sochi.

【新闻快讯】

15日的短道速滑赛场，中国队又传喜讯：在索契冬奥会短道速滑女子1500米比赛中，中国选手周洋以2分19秒140的成绩获得冠军，成功实现了自己在这个项目上的卫冕，也为中国代表团摘得了索契冬奥会上的第三枚金牌。

比赛中，韩国选手金雅朗在内道过人时出现失误，在她摔倒的同时也将中国选手李坚柔和美国选手斯考特带出了赛道，三人提前退出了奖牌争夺。后半程，韩国名将沈石溪一直占据着领先位置，周洋几次尝试超越都未能找到合适的时机。比赛还剩最后两圈时，周洋终于在内道找到了反超机会，突然加速抢到首位，并保持住了优势，最终她以不到0.1秒的优势战胜了沈石溪。