Gao becomes 1st Chinese man to win Olympic speedskating gold

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When the last pair crossed the line, the excruciating wait finally over, Gao Tingyu was swallowed by his teammates and coaches.

Then he grabbed a Chinese flag and took off on a sprint around the infield at the Ice Ribbon, the striking red banner fluttering behind his head.

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When he pulled up alongside the finish line, Gao let out a scream that could be heard throughout the only new venue built in Beijing for this year's Winter Games.

Finally, a Chinese man has won speedskating gold at the Olympics.

Not bad for a guy who calls himself lazy.

"I'm quite a slow person," Gao said through a translator. "But for speedskating, I really love speed. I also like the sound of air beside my ear when I skate. It feels exciting."

Gao felt plenty of excitement Saturday, setting an Olympic record with his victory in the 500 meters.

It took a while for the celebration to begin, however.

The 24-year-old Gao skated in the seventh of 15 pairs, posting a blistering time of 34.32 seconds. Then he waited nervously on the infield as 16 other skaters took aim.

No one could beat it.

"It felt like I was riding a roller coaster," Gao said. "When I finished my race, there are 16 people behind me and all of them are great. I felt some pressure until the last group of people."

Gao knew he had at least a medal for the second straight Olympics after the next-to-last pair crossed the line. But the real celebration began when the final group finished.

Gao took bronze in the 500 at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games.

Gao Tingyu of China reacts after winning the gold medal and setting an Olympic record in the men's speedskating