‘Favourable’ judging raises eyebrows as post-race review hands Winter Olympics short-track gold to China

A Chinese short-track speed skater taken out by Australia’s Brendan Corey in the quarter-finals has gone on to win home gold after a dramatic photo finish in a controversial 1000m final.

After the final was restarted mid-race to remove metal debris, the program had one more twist after Hungary’s Liu Shaolin Sandor crossed first while colliding with Ren Ziwei.

Watch the dramatic incident unfold in the video above

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Officials assessed video replays for several minutes before disqualifying Liu, who has a Chinese father, for multiple infringements.

The killer blow was Liu’s “lane change causing contact” in his late bid for victory.

His yellow card delivered gold to overjoyed Chinese star Ren Ziwei, while silver went to China’s Li Wenlong and bronze - remarkably - to Liu’s younger brother Liu Shaoang.

Liu Shaolin Sandor was silent after his disqualification, according to his brother.

“I told him that I was proud of him and that these things happen in short track, to take a rest and come back stronger because tomorrow is another day,” Liu Shaoang said.

“He said nothing.”

The bronze medallist added: “We are not referees, there is nothing we can do. It was a pretty exciting race from the start to the end.”

Eventual winner Ren Ziwei, who escaped punishment for pushing Liu Shaolin Sandor with two hands at the finish, said it was no surprise that the race went down to the wire.

“We are short track skaters. It happens. We all fight for gold, never for less than that,” the new champion said.

His countryman Li Wenlong said of the controversy: “The race today was tough. It was full of twists and turns. I don’t think there is any question or doubt.