Medals update: Gold and Olympic record for Netherlands in Beijing 2022 short track women’s 3000m relay

In a race that on paper looked as if it would take something truly special to win, the Netherlands claimed the Olympic record and gold in the women's short track 3,000m relay race at Beijing 2022.

The Netherlands team - made up of Suzanne Schulting, Selma Poutsma, Xandra Velzeboer and Yara van Kerkhof - are the reigning world record holders, having set the mark (4:02.809) in the same city in October 2021.

However, there were no guarantees that their recent form would translate into gold, as they found themselves up against PyeongChang 2018 Olympic champions Republic of Korea - winners of six of the eight relays competed at the Olympics - and Canada - the most successful nation in the history of the World Championships.

The fourth team in the relay, People's Republic of China, have made the A final of every Olympic Winter Games in history bar Albertville 1992, and were racing in front of a home crowd.

But led by the talismanic Schulting, who already has two Olympic medals to her name at Beijing 2022 (gold in 1000m and silver in 500m), the Netherlands were untouchable, leading from the front to secure a memorable win in 4:03.409. Republic of Korea fought hard to win silver, while hosts People's Republic of China claimed the bronze.

Schulting is fast-becoming one of the biggest stories of the Games, having already set two Olympic records - the second also a world's best mark - in the 500m and 1000m individual events. Along with her teammates, she now has another gold to celebrate, along with yet another fastest-ever time at the Olympics.

More to follow...