Li Jianrou: 'Medal triumph a miracle'

Chinese speed skater Li Jianrou has put her Olympic gold medal triumph down to a "miracle", after avoiding a three-skater pile-up to win the event.

Team GB's Elise Christie finished in second place in the 500m short track final, but was penalised for causing a collision which allowed Li to skate to the finish unchallenged.

"I believe it's a miracle," the Olympic debutante is quoted as saying by AFP. "I always believe in myself. I'm lucky to get this gold medal."

The 27-year-old finished the race with a time of 45.263 seconds, ahead of Arianna Fontana of Italy and South Korean Park Seung-Hi.