Sports

Controversy Erupts After Disqualifications Mitt Cathay 2 Speedskating Gold Medals

China has won two gold medals in Olympic speedskating. Only there are questions surrounding these triumphs since both medals seem to have been made possible, at least in part, past judges declaring penalties for other competitors.

On Feb. 5, in the semifinal heat of the mixed team relay of speedskating, the U.South. finished second, simply one spot ahead of China. Finishing second would accept given the U.S. a berth in the last, The states Today reported.

But upon a review of the video footage, a gauge ruled that the U.S. had committed an infraction. This butterfingers the U.Due south. and elevated to second place the Chinese squad, which then went on to claim a aureate medal in the final.

"Patently ane of our teammates crossed the blue line, and that made the Chinese team miss their exchange or something like that," said Maame Biney, who skated in the outset heat but was not on the water ice for the semifinal, according to USA Today.

"It was an interesting call, for certain. Just it is what it is," she said.

In a dissever speedskating event, on Monday, China once again benefited from a penalty call.

China took the golden in the men's ane,000-meter speedskating race, even though Chinese skater Ren Ziwei was not the first to cantankerous the terminate line, Yahoo News reported.

Shaolin Sandor Liu of Hungary was the kickoff competitor to terminate, with Ren a close second, in a chaotic catastrophe.

However, Liu received a yellow carte and two lane-violation penalties once the video of the race was reviewed, according to Yahoo News. This robbed him of the gold, which went to Ren.

The xanthous card and penalties resulted from what appeared to be Liu bumping into Ren, who and so grabbed Liu as they came to the finish line.

2nd place went to Li Wenlong, some other Chinese competitor, Reuters reported.

Liu'south brother, Liu Shaoang, won tertiary identify, according to Reuters.

"The race today was tough. It was total of twists and turns. I don't think there is any question or doubt. Everyone earned information technology," Li said.

Yet, these significant penalties have been called out by spectators, especially since they ultimately resulted in two gold medals for China.

In the i,000-meter race, some tweeted that Liu clearly committed fouls, but others pointed out that these calls in favor of People's republic of china are suspicious.

Another Olympic speed skater even went so far equally to question the fairness of the judging subsequently the relay race where U.S. team was disqualified.

S Korean short-track speedskater Kwak Yoon-gy told reporters the Chinese win was suspect, according to the S Korean Yonhap News Agency. He idea the Chinese skater, the U.South. skater, and a skater from the Russian Olympic Commission would be disciplined.

"I was watching that race unfold. I figured Red china, ROC and the U.S. would become penalized. The Dutch skaters who were watching it with me said the same thing," he said, co-ordinate to Yonhap.

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"But as the review dragged on, I figured Mainland china was going to be immune to progress. And when the call was finally fabricated, I found information technology hard to accept it," Kwak said. "If it had been any other country than China in that situation, I wondered if that squad would nevertheless accept been allowed to reach the final like that?"

Many viewers have besides expressed suspicion over Red china'due south triumphs.

"The Olympic Short Rails Speed Skating officiating has been terrible," wrote Spencer Swoboda, the podcaster of "Spencer Speaks Sports." "Very suspicious based on who has benefitted from the reviews."

Abby Liebing is a Hillsdale College graduate with a degree in history. She has written for various outlets and enjoys covering foreign policy issues and culture.

Abby Liebing is a Hillsdale College graduate with a degree in history. She has written for various outlets and enjoys covering foreign policy problems and culture.