CHINA AT THE OLYMPICS: China scoops up women's relay gold

Posted: Feb 25, 12:14a ET | Updated: Feb 25, 12:14a ET

South Korean disqualification allows China to take title

VANCOUVER (Reuters) -- Four-time champion South Korea learned it had been disqualified while skating a celebratory lap of honor on Wednesday to give China Olympic gold in the women's short track 3000m relay.

Canada took the silver, with the United States picking up the bronze.

South Korea's skaters had already started waving flags in joy after crossing the line ahead of the rest of the field but a lengthy referee review decided Kim Min-jung had impeded during an exchange push with just a few laps remaining.

Cheers turned to tears as the inconsolable South Koreans rushed past reporters without stopping to explain their mistake.

One of their coaches had banged a padded barrier in frustration when the referee told him of the decision.

"I was not surprised by the disqualification because collisions happen all the time in short track," Wang Meng, who cost China a medal in Turin four years ago when she was judged to have impeded, told reporters.

China stood on top of the podium with Zhang Hui sporting a big white plaster over a cut she picked up during the chaotic race where there were 16 skaters on the ice in one go.

Blood pouring

"I don't remember it, after the race I felt pain in my jaw but I don't know when it happened," Zhang, who had blood pouring from her face at the end of the race, told reporters.

Video replays and wire photos later showed that one of Zhang's teammates mistakenly kicked her in the face with her skate as she jumped over the padded wall to celebrate.

China have dominated the women's events in Vancouver, winning three out of three with individual golds for Wang in the 500m and Zhou Yang in the 1500m.

China's first Olympic relay gold came in a record time of four minutes 6.610 seconds thanks to a team featuring Sun Linlin, Wang, Zhang and Zhou.

With six laps remaining, Korea were trailing China and during an exchange thought they could overtake but Kim cut across China's path while trying to make the pass.