Nao Kodaira Wins Gold Medal and Sets New Olympic Record in Women's 500m Speed Skating
Japanese skater Nao Kodaira captured the gold medal in the women's 500-meter speed skating event at the PyeongChang Winter Olympics in South Korea on Sunday, setting a new Olympic record with a time of 36.94 seconds.
Kodaira, who won the silver medal in the 1000-meter event last Wednesday at the Gangneung Oval, defeated the previous Olympic record holder and defending champion, South Korean skater Lee Sang-Hwa, by 0.39 seconds.
Photo: Reuters
Czech skater Karolina Erbanova finished third, 0.40 seconds behind the champion.
- Standings:
1. Nao Kodaira (JPN) - 36.94
2. Lee Sang-Hwa (KOR) - 0.39
3. Karolina Erbanova (CZE) - 0.40
4. Vanessa Herzog (AUT) - 0.57
5. Brittany Bowe (USA) - 0.59
6. Jorien Ter Mors (NED) - 0.59
7. Angelina Golikova (OAR) - 0.68
8. Arisa Go (JPN) - 0.73