Winter Olympics: Hanne Desmet misses out on 1,500m short-track final after fall

Short track speed skater Hanne Desmet failed to qualify for the 1,500m final on Friday and will therefore not win an individual medal at these Winter Olympics. Her compatriot Tineke den Dulk was also eliminated in the semi-finals.

Both Hanne Desmet and Tineke den Dulk had won their quarter-final heats. Desmet however had to skate her heat twice after a heavy crash by Poland's Kamila Sellier.

Desmet was constantly behind in her semi-final. Her double quarter-final seemed to still be weighing on her legs and she crashed into the ice during an overtaking manoeuvre at the end. Den Dulk lost ground in the final stages of her race and eventually finished seventh. King Philippe, Queen Mathilde and Princess Eléonore watched it happen from the stands.

Winter Olympics: Belgium take bronze in speed skating mixed relay

Belgium have won their first medal at the Winter Olympics, finishing third in the short track mixed relay speed skating event.

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Desmet and Den Dulk still take home a medal. They opened these Winter Games last Tuesday with an unexpected bronze medal in the mixed relay.

Desmet had previously skated the 500m and 1,000m, but her results were disappointing there too. In the 500m, she was eliminated in the quarter-finals, and in the 1,000m, she was eliminated in the semi-finals. Desmet is the reigning world champion in the 1,000m and won Olympic bronze in that distance four years ago in Beijing.

^{#FlandersNewsService | Belgian Hanne Desmet falls during the semi-finals of the 1,500m in short track at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games © BELGA PHOTO JASPER JACOBS}

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