Winter Olympics: Disqualification keeps Hanne Desmet out of short-track 1,000m final
Hanne Desmet failed to reach the final of the 1,000 metres short track at the Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo on Monday, despite starting the event as one of the favourites. The Belgian was disqualified after a failed overtaking manoeuvre in the semi-finals.
The quarter-finals had gone smoothly for Hanne Desmet. In the second of four heats, the 29-year-old Belgian crossed the finish line first in 1:27.533 to secure her place in the semi-finals with ease.
That is where her 1,000m campaign came to an end: in the first semi-final, she collided with South Korea’s Gilli Kim during an attempted overtake, knocking her rival down. Officials subsequently disqualified Desmet.
"I don't usually make mistakes like that. I'm very disappointed," Desmet told Sporza afterwards. "I'm convinced I belong in that final, so going out like this feels almost embarrassing. It would have been different if I had been beaten on merit. But not because of a stupid mistake."
The setback is a significant blow for Desmet, one of the favourites for the title. At last year’s World Championships in Beijing, she took gold in the 1,000 metres. Four years ago, at the Beijing Olympics, she claimed bronze in the same event.
Stijn Desmet crashes out
Monday also brought disappointment for her brother, Stijn Desmet. Competing in the first of eight heats in the 500 metres, he crashed in a corner and took two other skaters down with him. Although he crossed the finish line in second place, enough to advance to the quarter-finals, he too was later disqualified.
This Winter Olympics have not been without success for the Desmet siblings. Last week, Hanne and Stijn Desmet claimed an unexpected bronze medal in the mixed relay, alongside Tineke den Dulk and Ward Pétré.
Hanne Desmet is still set to compete in the 1,500 metres, while Stijn Desmet will skate in Final B of the 5,000 metres relay, both scheduled for later this week.
© BELGA PHOTO JASPER JACOBS
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