China’s men’s speed skating's breakthrough

China’s men’s speed skating team edged the Netherlands by just 0.09 seconds to claim the bronze medal in the men’s team pursuit, marking a historic breakthrough for the program. Speaking after the race, head coach Li Yan said: “We went all out at the front early, then held on tooth and nail at the back. We gritted it out, second by second. This bronze medal is not the end—it’s a starting point, and a source of real confidence.”