Winter Olympics: China's Li wins women's 500m short track speed skating gold

China's Li Jianrou celebrates after winning the gold medal in the Women's Short Track 500 m Final at the Iceberg Skating Palace during the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, on Feb 13, 2014. Li Jianrou of China won the women's 500 metres short track sp
China's Li Jianrou celebrates after winning the gold medal in the Women's Short Track 500 m Final at the Iceberg Skating Palace during the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, on Feb 13, 2014. Li Jianrou of China won the women's 500 metres short track speed skating gold medal at the Sochi Winter Olympics on Thursday. -- PHOTO: AFP

SOCHI, Russia (REUTERS) - Li Jianrou of China won the women's 500 metres short track speed skating gold medal at the Sochi Winter Olympics on Thursday.

Arianna Fontana of Italy won the silver and Park Seung Hi of South Korea the bronze. Christie Elise of Britain crossed the line second but was disqualified.

Gold medal favourite Fan Kexin had failed to qualify for the final, adding to China's disappointment after injury forced 2010 Olympic champion Wang Meng to miss the Games.

The double world champion crashed out in the first lap of the semi-finals of the all-out sprint, allowing Briton Christie to take the lead and advance to the final.

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