Japan sets an Olympic record in the women’s speed skating team pursuit

The Associated Press

19:33 JST, February 12, 2022

BEIJING (AP) — Japan has set an Olympic record in the quarterfinals of the women’s speed skating team pursuit at the Beijing Olympics.

Japan broke its own Olympic mark Saturday with a time of 2 minutes, 53.61 seconds, advancing to the semifinals as the top qualifier.

The Japanese will face the fourth-fastest qualifier, the Russian Olympic Committee (2:57.66). Canada (2:53.97) and the Netherlands (2:57.26) also advanced and will meet in the other semifinal.

China and Norway were relegated to the C final. Belarus and Poland will meet in the D final.