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 not win an individual medal at these Winter Olympics. Compatriot Tineke den Dulk was also eliminated in the semi-finals.

Both Desmet and 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 be weighing on her legs and she crashed 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 after winning an unexpected bronze in the mixed relay in the first week of the Games.

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. She is the reigning world champion in the 1,000m and won Olympic bronze in the distance four years ago in Beijing.

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

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