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.