Medals update: Netherlands' Irene Schouten sets Olympic record to win women’s 3000m speed skating gold 

The Netherlands' Irene Schouten set a scintillating pace in the women's 3000m speed skating race to secure the Olympic title and set a new Olympic record.

The Dutch athlete finished the race in 3:56.93 to take close to a second off the previous record of 3:57.70 set all the way back in 2002. Italy's Francesca Lollobrigida, who was paired with Schouten in the final race of the competition, started strongly before Schouten justified her favourite tag by storming back to take the victory.

Lollobrigida finished second (3:58.06) to take home the silver medal, with Isabelle Weidemann (3:58.64) winning a historic bronze - the 200th Olympic Winter Games medal in the history of Canada.

The medal positions were all decided in the last two races of the session, with Weidemann setting the early running as she took the lead in the penultimate race to ensure she would finish with a medal. The only question was which colour that medal would be.

However, all questions were answered in the final race, as Schouten showed her class to secure the first gold medal for a strong Netherlands speed skating team at Beijing 2022. Having trailed Lollobrigida for much of the race, the Dutch skater, who set a national record of 3.52.89 in December's World Cup meet in Salt Lake City, came back strongly to become Olympic champion.

Schouten has stated that her personal mantra is  "When everything's under control, you're going too slow," and her comeback victory seems more proof that she is at her best when under pressure.

After the race, she spoke about the joy she felt at winning gold after missing out on the 3000m competition at the Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang 2018.

“There was a lot of pressure for myself and for the Netherlands and I’m so happy I made it," she said. "I was in the last pair and you see all the girls race in front of you, and they raced really fast.

“Four years ago I did not qualify, so I wanted this one. When I was young I had a big dream to win Olympic gold and now I have it.”

Italy's Lollobrigida, who made history today by winning Italy's first-ever women's speed skating medal, reflected on the unpredictable nature of the thrilling final race.

“I need more time to think about how I am feeling," she said. "It was a crazy race. I was happy to be in the last race with strong skaters.

“I was just thinking about push, push, there was one moment I was in front. I thought about my husband and my family cheering for me."

Speed skating women's 3000m final results:

1. Irene Schouten (NED): 3:56.93 OR
2. Francesca Lollobrigida (ITA): 3:58.06 +1.13
3. Isabelle Weidemann (CAN): 3:58.64 +1.71