The Chinese Speed Skating Team has achieved a historic milestone, securing a coveted spot in the semi-finals of the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina, Italy. This significant accomplishment marks a new national record for the team and is the first time they have advanced this far since the sport’s establishment in China in 2006.
The trio of Liu Hanbin, Wu Yu, and Li Wenhao showcased exceptional teamwork and skill in the cross-country skiing qualifying rounds. Their coordinated effort resulted in a third-place finish with an impressive time of 3 minutes and 41.66 seconds. This performance positioned them as the third-fastest ice ski team among the eight participating nations in their discipline. Notably, the Chinese team narrowly surpassed the formidable Dutch squad by just 0.19 seconds in the qualifiers, pushing the Netherlands into fourth place.
Having successfully navigated the qualifying stage, the Chinese team is now set to compete in the semi-finals against strong contenders: host nation Italy, the United States, and a rematch with the Netherlands. This crucial semi-final race is scheduled to take place on February 17th.
Chinese speed skater Li Wenhao expressed both surprise and immense satisfaction at the team’s historic achievement. He acknowledged that reaching the top three was an unexpected yet significant improvement, attributing it to the team’s dedicated and rigorous training over the preceding three to four months. Looking ahead, Li Wenhao and his teammates are optimistic about their prospects, expecting to deliver an even stronger performance and accelerate further in the challenging semi-finals against their formidable opponents.
