'Absolute heartbreak': Winter Olympics rocked by devastating moment
The Winter Olympics were rocked by devastating scenes on Tuesday when Japanese speedskater Nana Takagi fell at the final turn of the gold medal race.
Japan's three-person team had one turn remaining in the women's pursuit final and looked destined to defend their gold medal from four years ago.
'SHOULDN'T BE THERE': Skater in doping drama leaves ice in tears
'INSANE': Aussie snowboarder in frightening Olympics crash
But disaster struck when Takagi, who was at the back of the team, lost her balance on the final bend and went crashing into the wall.
Canada cruised across the line for an improbable victory, while Takagi was reduced to tears by her untimely mistake.
Absolute heartbreak for Japan ON THE LAST LAP 😭
Team Canada win Gold in the Women's Team Pursuit 🇨🇦 #Beijing2022 pic.twitter.com/pxVjNCoQdY— 7Olympics (@7olympics) February 15, 2022
“My mind hasn't recovered from the fall,” she said through an interpreter.
“It's hard to me to think or talk about it right now."
Takagi was at the back of the three-skater train and appeared to simply lose her balance.
She got up and managed to cross the finish line, but was more than 11 seconds behind Canada.
Takagi then collapsed into the arms of one of her teammates - younger sister Miho.
Teammate Ayano Sato offered consoling words as well.
“I just wanted to be close to her and give her a hug,” Miho Takagi said.
“In this event, to fall, we understand the pressure will be on.
"We cannot turn it around, we cannot change it. That is frustrating.”
Fans expressed their heartbreak for Takagi on social media.
No one ever wants to see that happen :-(
— CopingMostly (@prbtracy) February 15, 2022
#NanaTakagi we ♥️ YOU#CheerUpNanaTakagi
— Ceeber (@cEeBeReS) February 15, 2022
Congrats to the @TeamCanada women's team pursuit long track speed skating team, but heart also goes out to @naaaana777 ... we're all with you Nana Takagi https://t.co/FDTo7CMraC
— Al-Karim Walli 🇨🇦 (@aswalli) February 15, 2022
Japan takes silver after a devastating turn of events in the final. With the defending champions leading on the final lap, Nana Takagi fell on the last bend, handing the gold medal to Canada.
— Sean Maki Miyaguchi (@BallonDoh) February 15, 2022
Norway wins men's pursuit gold at Winter Olympics
Meanwhile, Norway's skaters managed to stay upright and capture their second-straight men's team pursuit gold medal.
The United States won its second speedskating medal of the Beijing Games, claiming the men's bronze and denying Dutch star Sven Kramer a 10th career medal in what is likely his final Olympics.
Norway repeated its run to the gold medal from four years ago, knocking off the Netherlands in the semi-finals and the Russian skaters in the final with a time of 3 minutes, 38.07 seconds.
The Russian skaters finished nearly 2.5 seconds behind and settled for the silver.
“Of course it’s special to do it again,” said Sverre Lunde Pedersen, the only returning member from the 2018 team pursuit.
“It’s with another team, but of course it’s really cool. We showed that our team is the best in the world. It’s amazing."
Even more amazing for Pedersen, who broke his hand last May in a cycling fall and missed the start of the World Cup season.
“I was pretty far down during the summer, but my family kept me going,” he said.
“After I got better in August, I started training again and the body was still good.”
with Associated Press
Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.