Winter Olympics curling LIVE: Five crash at same turn in luge and skater Vincent Zhou tests positive for Covid

The Winter Olympics is in full swing on a dramatic day four in Beijing after two-time Olympic champion Mikaela Shiffrin went out of giant slalom after the 26-year-old lost an edge on the fifth gate of the first run and skied out. Great Britain duo Jennifer Dodds and Bruce Mouat missed out on the chance to guarantee a mixed doubles curling medal, losing their semi-final against Norway.

Earlier on Monday, snowboarder Max Parrot soared in men’s snowboard slopestyle, as the cancer survivor won gold for Canada. An upgrade from the silver he earned at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games, Parrot was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma- a type of blood cancer- in December 2018, forcing him to miss the whole of next season. But three years, he stands atop the Olympic podium, alongside his compatriot Mark McMorris who earned bronze.

However, there were disappointments for two US athletes in particular: Emily Sweeney was among the individual luge contestants who crashed out at the same point travelling at over 100km/h, while figure skater Vincent Zhou has tested positive for coronavirus and will subsequently miss the individual event.

Seventeen-year-old Kirsty Muir showed her mettle to soar into the final of the Olympic freestyle Big Air competition on the site of a former state-owned steel mill on the outskirts of Beijing. Muir, the youngest member of the 50-strong Team GB squad, nailed her first jump with a score of 89.25, the second biggest of the qualifying session which was only beaten by the French former World Cup winner Tess Ledeux.

Follow all the latest updates Winter Olympics news, updates and results below:

Winter Olympics 2022

• Team GB set for mixed doubles curling semi-final vs Norway (12pm GMT)

• Kirsty Muir soars into freestyle finals at Beijing Winter Olympics

• James Woods falls twice to miss out on men’s freeski big air final

• Cancer survivor Max Parrot wins gold in freestyle skiing

• Surprise exit for defending champion Mikaela Shiffrin

• Ellia Smeding sets time in women’s 1500m speed skating final

US figure skater Zhou out of individual competition after testing positive for Covid

20:17 , Karl Matchett

U.S. men's figure skater Vincent Zhou has tested positive for the coronavirus, and is out of the individual competition, reports AP.

In a five-minute video posted to Instagram on Monday night, a teary Zhou announced that he would have to withdraw. He had initially tested positive as part of a routine COVID-19 screening, and underwent additional testing.

The 21-year-old had struggled through a poor free skate for the eventual team silver medalists a day before, and was due to compete in the individual competition that begins with the men's short program on Tuesday.

In the video, Zhou said he had isolated to the point of crushing loneliness over the past few months in a bid to avoid the virus. He ended on a positive note, though: "This is not the end. This is a setup for a bigger comeback."

Slovenia claim ski jumping gold

19:55 , Ben Burrows

Slovenia has won gold in the ski jumping mixed team event’s Olympic debut.

The team of Ursa Bogataj, Nika Kriznar, Peter Prevc and Timi Zajc had 1,000.5 points Monday, dominating the competition by more than 100 points.

Prevc jumped last and soared 101.5 meters (333 feet) and had 126.3 points to seal the top spot on the podium for the Slovenians.

Russia won silver and Canada, in a surprise, earned bronze.

Germany, one of the favorites to win, was disqualified after the first round because of an equipment violation by Katharina Althaus, who won silver for the second straight Olympics on Saturday.

Japan, with Olympic champion Ryoyu Kobayashi and star Sara Takanashi, finished fourth in the 10-nation field after Takanashi had a jump disqualified.

Deedra Irwin makes history for US in biathlon

19:35 , Graeme Massie

Deedra Irwin made history for Team USA as she gavethe best ever Winter Olympic performance by an American, finishing seventh in the women’s 15-kilometer individual event at the Zhangjiakou National Biathlon Centre northwest of Beijing.

“I was trying to focus on just working on everything I’ve worked on this week, really skiing the course well and staying calm on the range and being ready for anything — with wind or whatever,” said Irwin, who is competing in her first Olympic Winter Games. “I had a good game plan, and I was able to execute it. Everything came together. I had no idea how I was doing, and I was just in my zone, and it worked — what the heck.”

Irwin finished the event just 1 minute and 14 seconds behind gold medalist Denise Herrmann of Germany.

Anais Chevalier-Bouchet of France won the silver medal, and Norway’s Marte Olsbu Roeiseland took home the bronze medal.

US skater out of Games with Covid

19:15 , Ben Burrows

Figure skater Vincent Zhou has tested positive for the coronavirus, and is out of the individual competition.

In a five-minute video posted to Instagram on Monday night, a teary Zhou announced that he would have to withdraw. He had initially tested positive as part of a routine Covid-19 screening, and underwent additional testing.

The 21-year-old had struggled through a poor free skate for the eventual team silver medalists a day before, and was due to compete in the individual competition that begins with the men’s short program on Tuesday.

In the video, Zhou said he had isolated to the point of crushing loneliness over the past few months in a bid to avoid the virus. He ended on a positive note, though: “This is not the end. This is a setup for a bigger comeback.”

Drama increases with crashes in luge

18:30 , Ben Burrows

Every Olympics has its share of heroes, but for many of the women competing in the first half of the singles luge event on Monday evening there was also a clear villain - curve 13.

Exit the small hill into the twisting curve at the finale of the 1,615-metre track a fraction off trajectory, or without quite enough momentum, and even the world’s finest might be lucky to escape with only a poor time for injury.

Germany’s Julia Taubitz was in the lead after a scintillating run that set a new track record. But then she lost control on curve 13, flipping and skidding along near the finish line.

Though she spent some time with the medical team and was unable to talk to reporters after the race, she’ll be back again to compete on Tuesday, her coach said. Taubitz is in 14th place at the halfway mark.

He and several experts around the track surmised that the women were hitting the curve just a few kilometres slower than the men yesterday, with that lack of momentum being a real killer.

Winter Olympics 2022: One of the highlights of the day, Ireen Wust

17:50 , Sarah Rendell

Ireen Wust became the most successful Olympic speed skater in history with six gold medals on Monday after sweeping round the Beijing oval to retain her tile and win the Winter Games 1,500 metres by just under half a second.

Victory put the Netherlands’ most decorated Olympian ahead of Germany’s Claudia Pechstein, who has won five skating golds.

Wust‘s 12 medals in total also put her in joint third for most podiums overall for men or women at the Winter Olympics.

“I can’t describe it yet. It’s insane, actually,” she said afterwards. “A lot of emotions - especially the good ones!”

The reigning champion set the pace with an Olympic record time of 1:53.28, then watched as world record holder Miho Takagi of Japan failed to match it in the final race.

Ireen Wust wins sixth gold to become most successful Olympic speed skater in history

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17:42 , Ben Burrows

The Winter Olympics is in full swing in Beijing with Team GB hoping to win a record medal tally.

You can keep up to date with all the biggest stories, analysis and must-see moments delivered straight to your inbox by signing up to our free newsletter.

How to sign up to our free Beijing 2022 newsletter

17:30 , Sarah Rendell

A US-born Chinese skater has been viciously trolled on the country’s social media platforms for a lacklustre performance at the Beijing Winter Olympics despite making efforts to give up her US citizenship and compete for her native country.

Nineteen-year-old Beverly Zu, born to Chinese parents in Los Angeles, had decided to give up her American citizenship in 2018 to mark her Olympics debut for Team China. She also changed her name to Zhu Yi.

The figure skater was trolled on Chinese social media for falling during the women’s short programme team event at the Games and for not being fluent in Chinese. During the final event of the free skate on Monday, she fell again, after failing to land her first combination triple flip-triple toe-loop jump on Sunday.

US-born ice skater slammed on Chinese social media after falling on debut for China

Winter Olympics 2022: All you need to know about curling

17:10 , Sarah Rendell

GB may have lost out on the opportunity to compete for the gold medal but their success of getting to the semi has peaked a lot of interest.

Stepping into a new sport can be tricky if you don’t know the basic rules or key competitors. So to help out we have put together a series of articles on curling so you can dip your toe in and understand what is happening end by end.

Take a look at the selected ones below and discover more on our Winter Olympics page:

What is the curling power play? Explaining the rules of Winter Olympics sport

Winter Olympics: How much do curling stones weigh?

Winter Olympics 2022: Shiffrin’s heartbreak

16:50 , Sarah Rendell

Early on Monday a shock came in the women’s giant slalom as defending champion Mikaela Shiffrin crashed out.

The star said she was heartbroken to not retain the gold medal with Sara Hector taking the win instead.

“I won’t ever get over this,” said Shiffrin. “That heartbreak never goes away and I think that’s what drives me to keep working. Sometimes they still happen and unfortunately it happened today.”

Read the 26-year-old’s full reaction here:

Mikaela Shiffrin ‘heartbreak will never go away’ as Olympic title curse strikes again

Winter Olympics 2022: Muir reacts to reaching final

16:30 , Sarah Rendell

“I really enjoyed it, I skied well and I’m really happy to have landed my dub 12 in the first run. I’m looking forward to tomorrow,” Kirsty Muir, Team GB’s youngest Olympian, said after reaching the Freeski Big Air Final.

“I just want to go and land my tricks [tomorrow] and ski my best. The snow this morning was really good - for the first run this morning, the speed was really good then just with the sun the snow’s just slowed down a little bit and a little bit of an uphill wind so we just had to get more speed for the second and third runs.”

Muir goes in the Big Air final from 0200 GMT tomorrow morning.

Winter Olympics 2022: A record breaking day

16:10 , Sarah Rendell

Many records have been smashed at the Winter Olympics on Monday but one of the most impressive was 15-year-old Kamila Valieva’s quadruple jump.

The figure skate became the first woman to land the move and it made everyone turn their heads to think the teenager is the favourite in the event.

It was a stunning moment in this year’s games, watch for yourself:

Watch teenage figure skater make history as the first woman to land a quad

Winter Olympics 2022: GB to play bronze medal curling match

15:50 , Sarah Rendell

Team GB lost an agonising tight match against Norway in the curling mixed doubles semi-finals. Jennifer Dodds and Bruce Mouat lost 6-5 to Norweigan pair Kristin Skaslien and Marcus Nedregotten.

GB will play Sweden on Tuesday after they lost to the unbeaten Italian team.

Dodds and Mouat looked physically upset after the defeat with the latter blaming himself for the defeat. But Dodds defended her teammate and said they win and lose as a team.

A medal is still up for grabs, it’ll be a case of which team can re-gather themselves after losing their respective semi-finals.

Team GB set for bronze medal play-off after losing curling semi-final

Winter Olympics 2022: Controversy in slopestyle event

15:30 , Sarah Rendell

There has been a lot of controversy surrounding the slopestyle event in which Max Parrot claimed gold.

Social media was abuzz with an error from the Canadian not being picked up by the judges which would have seen him get bronze rather than gold.

BBC commentator Ed leigh said: “On his fourth section, he did a big frontside 1440 and you’re supposed to grab the board. Instead, he did one of the cardinal sins – he used a body grab to keep his head and his feet together. And that would be marked down.

“The judges have put execution at such a premium that something like that should have cost him two or three points. So the gold has gone wrong there.”

No-one will want to take the gold away from Parrot though as the star recovered from cancer to take the gold. It’s unclear if any teams have lodged a protest against the result.

Canadian snowboarder takes gold in Beijing after beating cancer

Winter Olympics 2022: What sports are involved?

15:10 , Sarah Rendell

There are 109 medal events at the Winter Olympics and it is hard to keep track of all the different sports.

Every four years the attention to each sport heightens and I’m sure you’ve found one that you want to try out.

Here’s all the different sports so you can keep track:

Which sports are in Winter Olympics? Full list of 2022 events

Winter Olympics 2022: What is the medal table looking like?

14:55 , Sarah Rendell

The medal events for the action today are over and so how does the table shape up after day three?

Beyond Germany and Norway, Europe’s main talent resides in the mountains of Sweden and the ice of Netherlands, who have turned themselves in speed skating specialists over the years. Meanwhile Team GB are hoping simply to top their efforts in Sochi and Pyeongchang from where they brought home five medals each.

Have a look and see where your country is:

Winter Olympics medal table: Who is winning Beijing 2022 so far?

Winter Olympics 2022: Concern grows Peng Shuai

14:40 , Sarah Rendell

Peng Shuai has described reports she accused a high-ranking Chinese official of sexual assault as a “huge misunderstanding” as she repeated her denial the alleged incident ever took place.

The former doubles world number one said in a social media post in November that she was forced to have sex with former vice-premier Zhang Gaoli. Her post was swiftly deleted and her subsequent silence raised fears over her safety.

Peng attended Monday’s mixed curling match between China and Norway and, according to the IOC, stated her intention to attend more events at the Winter Olympics over the next two weeks. She also accepted an invitation to visit IOC headquarters in Lausanne.

Peng Shuai calls global concern after abuse allegation a ‘huge misunderstanding’

Winter Olympics: Bankes ready for snowboard chaos

14:23 , Lawrence Ostlere

One of Team GB’s biggest hopes in Beijing is Charlotte Bankes – here is a preview of her bid to snowboard cross gold:

Charlotte Bankes ready for snowboard cross chaos despite absence of rival Eva Samkova

Winter Olympics: Shiffrin’s ‘heartbreak will never go away’

14:15 , Lawrence Ostlere

The big shock of the day came earlier when the great Mikaela Shiffrin fell at the fifth gate of her first run.

“I won’t ever get over this,” said the 26-year-old, made to pay the price for a minuscule mistiming on the edge of her left-turning ski that caused her to ski out.

“That heartbreak never goes away and I think that’s what drives me to keep working. Sometimes they still happen and unfortunately it happened today.”

Full story:

Mikaela Shiffrin ‘heartbreak will never go away’ as Olympic title curse strikes again

Winter Olympics: Cancer survivor Max Parrot wins slopestyle gold

14:05 , Lawrence Ostlere

From a lion in a chemotherapy cage to the king of the slopestyle jungle, Max Parrot didn’t need an Olympic gold medal to love life.

“My goal is to go for the gold, that’s for sure,” the Canadian snowboarder said last month. “But I’m really happy as well that if I don’t get it, I won’t have any regrets.”

Parrot’s source of perspective is a painful one. A Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis and 12 treatments over six months, stripping bare an Olympian body, day by day.

Cancer took everything but left him something - a chance, that so many millions never get - to live the rest of his life in pure technicolour.

“I try to smile all day long now,” he said. “I don’t take anything for granted any more.

“I appreciate every day - from little things in the morning to my passion for snowboarding. It’s made me better.”

Parrot won silver at PyeongChang 2018 and a few weeks later missed the whole of 2018-19 due to chemotherapy. He won X Games gold two months after his last treatment.

He won Olympic gold thanks to a daring run that blended huge air with brilliance on rail sections.

Full story:

Canadian snowboarder takes gold in Beijing after beating cancer

Ireen Wust makes skating history at Winter Olympics

13:56 , Lawrence Ostlere

Ireen Wust became the most successful Olympic speed skater in history with six gold medals on Monday after sweeping round the Beijing oval to retain her tile and win the Winter Games 1,500 metres by just under half a second.

Victory put the Netherlands’ most decorated Olympian ahead of Germany’s Claudia Pechstein, who has won five skating golds.

Wust‘s 12 medals in total also put her in joint third for most podiums overall for men or women at the Winter Olympics.

“I can’t describe it yet. It’s insane, actually,” she said afterwards. “A lot of emotions - especially the good ones!”

Full story:

Ireen Wust wins sixth gold to become most successful Olympic speed skater in history

Winter Olympics 2022: GB react to semi loss

13:48 , Sarah Rendell

GB lost out to Norway and they have reacted to their 6-5 loss.

Mouat said: “I think we controlled that which is the toughest part of that. Jen played amazingly all day, I’m disappointed more for what I’ve done to the team.

“We pushed them as far as we could. If we forced them to a two in their power play we would’ve won that.”

And Dodds added: “We were in control for the majority of the game. I think that’s the best game we’ve played which makes it harder. We have to re-group before tomorrow, there’s still a medal to be won out there.”

Winter Olympics 2022: Norway are through to the curling mixed doubles final

13:43 , Sarah Rendell

A huge match with both teams heading into the final end 5-5 but Norway managed to close out the match well.

Four years ago they won bronze and now they will get at least a silver. GB had many opportunities to win that match but it wasn’t to be.

Norway will play Italy in the final with GB against Sweden in the bronze medal match.

Winter Olympics 2022: Curling mixed doubles semi-final

13:41 , Sarah Rendell

All even into the final end to determine who joins Italy in the gold medal match.

The first stone from Dodds was her worst first stone of the match but it wasn’t awful. Norway’s shot was tight to the guard and it moved it over.

The second saw GB put in a guard on a centre line with Norway again taking it out. GB then used their third stone to once again put that central guard in place with Norway following the same strategy to take it out.

GB put a central guard in again as the tension built and it went very quiet in the arena. Norway took a time-out to talk tactics ahead of their fourth stone and then stuck to their guns and took out the guard.

The final stone for GB sat on the inner circle but Norway smashed it. Wow. Norway 6-5 GB.

Norway are through to the gold medal match! Heartbreak for GB but they missed opportunities to see out the match.

Winter Olympics 2022: Curling mixed doubles semi-final

13:30 , Sarah Rendell

Norway took the lead for the first time in the semi ahead of the seventh end.

The first stone for Norway went wide of the line and GB played a great shot to make Norway’s stone vulnerable in the middle of the field.

With the second stone, Norway again struck another curl wide of the line and Mouat followed up with a similar shot in the first stone from Dodds.

Nedregotten made a great play with the third stone with it kissing the grouped GB stones. Mouat took out one of Norway’s stones but another remained in scoring contention.

In the fourth, Norway had a great shot by hitting GB’s stone out but they left their stones open to a double take-out. Mouat hit one stone out but it was an opportunity missed as Norway still had two stones in play. A momentum shift?

With the final stone Norway put in a guard for their stones, a mistake as it was misplaced, and GB took time to talk tactics in this all important end. GB get their final stone into the central zone

Norway 5-5 GB after the seventh end.

Italy are through to the gold medal match.

Winter Olympics 2022: Curling mixed doubles semi-final

13:16 , Sarah Rendell

Norway were chasing the game in the sixth end, being two down to GB with three ends to go.

Dodds used the first stone to move the guard but it didn’t quite reach the centre line and Skaslien didn’t place hers exactly where she wanted either. She wanted it behind GB’s stone but it was slightly off to the right.

It was a great shot with the second stone of GB as they hit Norway’s stone out of the field to make a clear path. Norway’s second was a mistake with it having too much on it.

In the third, Mouat had the opportunity to capitalise on the error but it went too high. Norway had another error and they aren’t quite judging the line right, GB need to take advantage of Norway’s slipping form.

However, Mouat struck one Norway stone into the target when they were attempting a double. Norway attempted to stop GB having of hitting the double again but failed and so it came down to the final stone.

Dodds tried the power play but it didn’t go to plan as they only struck one out of play, allowing Norway to come back into the match and take the lead.

Norway 5-4 GB after the sixth end. What a great performance there from Norway.

Winter Olympics 2022: Curling mixed doubles semi-final

13:06 , Sarah Rendell

GB have the hammer in the fifth end with Norway throwing first. Skaslien struck a great curl with it ending up striking the hammer and Dodds’ first stone was the perfect follow-up. She struck Norway’s first stone.

The second saw Norway have an almost inch-perfect attempt with it firmly in the inner circle. Mouat had to work hard to place theirs and it came up short.

The third wasn’t where Norway wanted it to be as it left a double open for Mouat to hit. And the GB star managed to strike it well, one of the best shots of the match, by dismissing two of Norway’s stones.

Norway placed a guard with their fourth in order to make GB’s life difficult. Mouat’s fourth flooded the field with GB stones.

And the final stone Norway used to guard again, hoping to get one from this end, but GB managed to stop it.

Norway 2-4 GB after the fifth end.

Winter Olympics 2022: Curling mixed doubles semi-final

12:56 , Sarah Rendell

We are halfway through and the teams are having a break.

GB have the slight upper hand here but Norway could strike back, who will win this? Back underway shortly.

Winter Olympics 2022: Curling mixed doubles semi-final

12:52 , Sarah Rendell

Dodds’ accuracy heading into this end was 95% and she continued her great form with the first stone for GB planting directly in the middle. Norway, meanwhile, landed there’s too short.

The second stone for GB ended up in the inner circle with pressure mounting on Norway but they did well with their second stone.

GB took time to talk tactics ahead of throwing their third stone and it didn’t pay off with too much power on it. Norway capitalised on the mistake by hitting one stone out.

The fourth stone saw a good shot from Mouat and Norway attempted to strike GB out but it was over curled to keep Britain in the end.

GB had a delightful shot with their final stone, Norway had a chance to score three but they missed it. What a semi we have on our hands!

Norway 2-3 GB after the fourth end.

Italy are ahead in the other semi-final against Sweden.

Winter Olympics 2022: Curling mixed doubles semi-final

12:39 , Sarah Rendell

GB now have the hammer with Norway throwing the first stone. Skaslien perfectly placed the stone and Dodds followed it up with a similarly good shot. These two are very evenly matched at the moment.

The second stone saw Norway put too much power on it for it to land on the outer circle. Mouat threw a great stone which landed on the inner circle.

The third stone from Norway saw their worst end so far with it being slightly too high despite hitting one of GB’s stones. Mouat again struck it well and hit Norway’s stone out of play.

Norway’s fourth didn’t have enough on it and GB responded with a perfect tap to put another GB stone firmly on the inner circle.

Skaslien take a bow! Wow! The final stone has seen Norway smack three of GB’s stones out. A huge play after a disappointing end for the Norwegian pair. But Dodds hit back and GB have scored a two!

Norway 1-3 GB after the third end.

Winter Olympics 2022: Curling mixed doubles semi-final

12:28 , Sarah Rendell

GB’s first stone is again perfectly placed with the pair having a great start to this semi. Norway made the inner circle with theirs and it was better from Kristen Skaslien.

Jennifer Dodds’ second stone saw GB plant a nice guard for their first stone but Nedregotten planted a perfect stone to hit GB’s central stone onto the inner circle.

The third stone was superb from Mouat as they pushed Norway’s central stone onto the inner circle with a great back and forth starting to build between the two teams. Norway responded with a lovely effort to see their stone on the inner circle - full pressure on GB.

The British pair as they took some of their thinking time, each team allowed some time to talk tactics, before sending the fourth stone. It paid off as he tapped another of their stones into the inner circle. Norway then took some time to discuss tactics and they decided to place a guard on the stones they have.

The final stone on the second end saw GB place another stone on the inner circle and Norway hit one GB stone out.

Norway 1-1 GB after the second end. Game on!

Winter Olympics 2022: Curling mixed doubles semi-final

12:14 , Sarah Rendell

Norway have the hammer as they finished above GB in the table.

The first stone for GB is perfectly placed, almost directly in the centre. Norway haven’t had as good a start with their first stone ending up on the blue ring.

GB’s second stone is well placed and Norway’s second takes out GB’s guard of the target.

Bruce Mouat attempted to replace the guard with the third stone but it didn’t quite hit the centre line. Norway then clatter one of GB’s stones out of play - a great shot from Magnus Nedregotten.

The fourth stone was superb from GB who smacked both of Norway’s stones. One of play and the other to the outer ring and Norway overcurled their fourth. It hit one of GB’s out of the centre but pushed another closer in.

And the final stone GB got theirs on the inner ring with Norway powering theirs too far to score any extras.

Norway 0-1 GB after the first end.

Winter Olympics 2022: Who is in the other curling semi-final?

12:01 , Sarah Rendell

The mixed doubles curling semi-final between Great Britain and Norway will get underway in just a few minutes.

The other semi sees Italy and Sweden.

Here we go...

Winter Olympics 2022: Curling to start shortly

11:50 , Sarah Rendell

Great Britain’s curling mixed doubles semi-final will get underway soon and Jennifer Dodds and Bruce Mouat will take on Norway’s Kristen Skaslien and Magnus Nedregotten.

The British duo are aware of how difficult it will be to reach the final.

“It’s going to be a battle out there tonight,” said Dodds. “If we tighten up the errors we made against them last night, it will be a close game – every time we have played them so far has always been close.

“Obviously we didn’t play our best against them last night, but after that performance against the USA, I think we can take a lot of confidence into tonight’s match.”

British curling duo prepare for Olympic battle with Norwegian foes

Winter Olympics 2022: Muir reacts to impressive performance

11:40 , Sarah Rendell

“I really enjoyed it, I skied well and I’m really happy to have landed my dub 12 in the first run. I’m looking forward to tomorrow,” Kirsty Muir, Team GB’s youngest Olympian, said after reaching the Freeski Big Air Final.

“I just want to go and land my tricks [tomorrow] and ski my best. The snow this morning was really good - for the first run this morning, the speed was really good then just with the sun the snow’s just slowed down a little bit and a little bit of an uphill wind so we just had to get more speed for the second and third runs.”

Muir goes in the Big Air final from 0200 GMT tomorrow morning.

American skater tests positive for Covid

11:33 , Ben Burrows

American figure skater Vincent Zhou has tested positive for Covid, it has been confirmed.

“As part of yesterday’s regular Covid-19 screening, Vincent Zhou tested positive,” it said in a statement, adding he was undergoing additional testing and will be able to compete in the men’s short programme on Tuesday should he test negative.

The 21-year-old competed in the team event on Sunday and team mate Karen Chen said she found out about his positive test result after performing her free skate on Monday. The United States won a silver medal in the team event.

“It’s definitely very unfortunate news,” Chen said. “I train with him all the time, and I know he deserves to be here, to be in this moment with all of us.

“Definitely disappointed about that, but I hope that we can invite him back here very soon.”

Winter Olympics 2022: Peng Shuai concern

11:30 , Sarah Rendell

Peng Shuai has described reports she accused a high-ranking Chinese official of sexual assault as a “huge misunderstanding” as she repeated her denial the alleged incident ever took place.

The former doubles world number one said in a social media post in November that she was forced to have sex with former vice-premier Zhang Gaoli. Her post was swiftly deleted and her subsequent silence raised fears over her safety.

Peng attended Monday’s mixed curling match between China and Norway and, according to the IOC, stated her intention to attend more events at the Winter Olympics over the next two weeks. She also accepted an invitation to visit IOC headquarters in Lausanne.

Peng Shuai calls global concern after abuse allegation a ‘huge misunderstanding’

Winter Olympics 2022: Johan Clarey oldest alpine skier to medal

11:20 , Sarah Rendell

France’s Johan Clarey, 41, became the oldest Alpine skier to medal at an Olympics as he secured silver on day three.

Clarey says he was aware his chances of becoming an Olympic medallist were fading.

“I knew I only had one chance left in my career to get a medal in the Olympics,” he said. “When you are a medallist, whether you are 20 or 41 it doesn’t matter.”

Winter Olympics 2022: Watch Kamila Valieva historic quadruple jump

11:10 , Sarah Rendell

One of the biggest headlines of day three was ROC’s Kamila Valieva landing a quadruple jump. The figure skater became the first woman to land the move at an Olympics.

Take a look at the piece of history below:

Russian figure skater lands quadruple jump at Beijing Winter Olympics

Winter Olympics 2022: Kirsty Muir impresses on day three

11:00 , Sarah Rendell

For those in the know Kirsty Muir has been British skiing’s next big thing for a while but now the secret is truly out.

Freestyle skier Muir, 17, qualified seventh for Tuesday’s women’s Olympic Big Air final but seemed to be holding something in reserve.

Her first run – a dizzying two flips with one-and-a-half degrees rotation off a 50m ramp going 60mph – banked the second highest score of any competitor and some nods of recognition from experienced hands.

Read more of James Toney’s piece:

Kirsty Muir announces her prodigious teenage talent on Winter Olympic stage

Winter Olympics 2022: Wust reacts to record gold

10:50 , Sarah Rendell

The Netherlands’ Ireen Wust became the first person to win individual gold medals at five different Winter Olympics by defending her 1500m speed skating title.

She also become the oldest Dutch athlete to win gold at the age of 35 and she has reacted to the amazing achievement.

“It’s insane,” she told reporters. “A lot of emotions, especially the good ones.”

Winter Olympics 2022: What’s to come?

10:45 , Sarah Rendell

The biggest event left of day three for British fans is the mixed doubles curling semi-final.

Jennifer Dodds and Bruce Mouat will go up against Norway’s Kristen Skaslien and Magnus Nedregotten in just over an hour’s time. They have had a mixed performance at the Games so far and so anything could happen in the semi.

“It’s going to be a battle out there tonight,” said Dodds. “If we tighten up the errors we made against them last night, it will be a close game – every time we have played them so far has always been close.”

Read more:

British curling duo prepare for Olympic battle with Norwegian foes

Winter Olympics 2022: Biathlon results confirmed with Herrmann claiming gold

10:35 , Sarah Rendell

The results of the 15km biathlon have been confirmed and Germany’s Denise Herrmann has taken gold!

France’s Anais Chevalier-Bouchet wins silver and bronze is won by Norway’s Marte Olsbu Roeiseland.

What a turn up for events in the biathlon with favourites the Oberg sisters way off the podium. Elvira ended the competition in 13th with Hanna in 16th.

A reminder that Herrmann was a cross-country skier but wanted a new challenge and so took up the biathlon. So many fairytale stories coming out of these Games.

Winter Olympics 2022: What does ROC mean?

10:29 , Sarah Rendell

For a second successive Winter Olympics, Russian athletes will not compete under their nation’s banner at Beijing 2022.

In December 2019, the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) levied a four-year ban from international sport against Russia for running what it found to be a state-sponsored doping scheme.

This ban has since been reduced to two years, but qualified athletes will compete under the abbreviation ROC (Russian Olympic Committee) in China.

Read more:

ROC at the Winter Olympics: Which country is it and what does it mean?

Winter Olympics 2022: What are the rules of curling?

10:19 , Sarah Rendell

Britain will compete in the curling mixed doubles semi-final against Norway later today.

We will be bringing you all of the live updates from that one but if you want to brush up on the rules we have a piece to help you out.

Read below to explain all the ins and outs of the sport ahead of the big event.

What is the hammer in curling? Winter Olympics sport rules explained

Winter Olympics 2022: Herrmann set to claim gold in women’s 15km biathlon

10:09 , Sarah Rendell

Germany’s Denise Herrmann is set to claim the gold medal in an upset at the Games! Silver will go to France’s Anais Chevalier-Bouchet and bronze is to be won by Norway’s Marte Olsbu Roeiseland.

The podium was in touching distance for Germany’s Vanessa Voigt as she raced to the finish line in the 15km biathlon but she misses out by just over a second!

She finished 1.3 seconds behind Roeiseland.

Winter Olympics 2022: Women’s 15km biathlon update

09:59 , Sarah Rendell

So far Germany’s Denise Herrman is looking likely to take the gold in a upset in the event! The former skier set a time of 44:1:7.

Sweden’s Hanna and Elvira Oberg, who are sisters, were favourites but they are 9th and 10th. Both of them missed three targets and their skiing couldn’t make up for the errors.

Winter Olympics 2022: Wust wins gold in women’s 1500m speed skating

09:49 , Sarah Rendell

Ireen Wust has defended her women’s 1500m speed skating title and has done so in a record time.

It’s the third title in the event for the Netherlands athlete and she has also become the oldest Dutch star to win a gold medal at 35. It was a nervous wait for Wust as she had to watch the final pair race while at the top of the leader board but Japan’s Miho Takagi and ROC’s Elizaveta Golubeva couldn’t pip her to the medal.

Takagi takes silver and Netherlands’ Antoinette de Jong wins bronze.

What a story for Wust who is competing at her last Olympics. She has also become the first Olympian ever to win a gold medal in individual events at five different Games.

Winter Olympics 2022: Mikaela Shiffrin “heartbroken” to crash out

09:42 , Sarah Rendell

Mikaela Shiffrin was slated to become the first American alpine skier to win three gold medals but she crashed out of the women’s giant slalom event.

Sara Hector won the top prize and Shiffrin is heartbroken by the result. “I won’t ever get over this,” said the 26-year-old.

“That heartbreak never goes away and I think that’s what drives me to keep working. Sometimes they still happen and unfortunately it happened today.”

Mikaela Shiffrin ‘heartbreak will never go away’ as Olympic title curse strikes again

Winter Olympics 2022: Ireen Wurst sets new Olympic record

09:37 , Sarah Rendell

Ireen Wurst has set a new Olympic record in the women’s 1500m speed skating final and what a story she has written for herself!

She is the Netherland’s most decorated Olympian of all time and this Games will be her last so the race could finish a fairytale story.

She managed to shave 1.54 seconds off of her compatriot Antoinette de Jong’s time and set a new Olympic record! The time was 1.53.28 and the defending champion is at the top of the table.

Winter Olympics 2022: Gold medal events continue

09:33 , Sarah Rendell

The women’s 15km biathlon is ongoing with 9km done for the competitors who started first this morning, all updates coming when those medal places are confirmed.

The women’s 1500m speed skating final is back underway. The Netherlands’ Antoinette de Jong has just taken the top of the leader board there with Britain’s Ellia Smeding in 19th place currently.

Winter Olympics 2022: Concern for Peng Shuai

09:24 , Sarah Rendell

Peng Shuai has described reports she accused a high-ranking Chinese official of sexual assault as a “huge misunderstanding” as she repeated her denial the alleged incident ever took place.

The former doubles world number one said in a social media post in November that she was forced to have sex with former vice-premier Zhang Gaoli. Her post was swiftly deleted and her subsequent silence raised fears over her safety.

Peng attended Monday’s mixed curling match between China and Norway and, according to the IOC, stated her intention to attend more events at the Winter Olympics over the next two weeks. She also accepted an invitation to visit IOC headquarters in Lausanne.

Peng Shuai calls global concern after abuse allegation a ‘huge misunderstanding’

Winter Olympics 2022: Britain prepare for mixed doubles curling semi

09:11 , Sarah Rendell

Great Britain’s Jennifer Dodds and Bruce Mouat will take on Norway’s Kristen Skaslien and Magnus Nedregotten in a few hours time in the mixed doubles curling semi-final.

The British duo are aware of how difficult it will be to reach the final.

“It’s going to be a battle out there tonight,” said Dodds. “If we tighten up the errors we made against them last night, it will be a close game – every time we have played them so far has always been close.

“Obviously we didn’t play our best against them last night, but after that performance against the USA, I think we can take a lot of confidence into tonight’s match.”

British curling duo prepare for Olympic battle with Norwegian foes

Winter Olympics 2022: Women’s 15km Biathlon gold medal event

09:06 , Sarah Rendell

Another gold medal event is underway with the women’s 15km biathlon gold medal event!

Sweden’s Hanna and Elvira Oberg, who are sisters, are favourites in this one with the pair sharing the podium at recent events.

Winter Olympic 2022: Women’s 1500m speed skating final

09:01 , Sarah Rendell

So they are preparing the ice for more pairing to race which seems a good time to recap what has happened so far in this gold medal event.

ROC’s Evgeniia Lalenkova in first, Belarus’ Ekaterina Sloeva is in second and China’s Ahenaer Adake in third.

They are followed by Kazakhstan’s Yekaterina Aidova, Poland’s Natalia Czerwonka, USA’s Mia Kilburg, Czech Republic’s Nikola Zdrahalova, ROC’s Elena Sokhryakova, Belarus’ Maryna Zuyeva, Canada’s Maddison Pearlman, Germany’s Michelle Uhrig, Chinese Taipei’s Yu Ting Huang, Britain’s Ellia Smedding, Norway’s Sofie Karoline Haugen, Belgium’s Sandrina Tas and Poland’s Magdalena Czyszczon.

The skaters will be back shortly.

Kirsty Muir reacts to reaching Freeski Big Air final

08:59 , Jack Rathborn

"I really enjoyed it, I skied well and I'm really happy to have landed my dub 12 in the first run. I'm looking forward to tomorrow,” Kirsty Muir, Team GB’s youngest Olympian, said after reaching the Freeski Big Air Final.

"I just want to go and land my tricks [tomorrow] and ski my best. The snow this morning was really good - for the first run this morning, the speed was really good then just with the sun the snow's just slowed down a little bit and a little bit of an uphill wind so we just had to get more speed for the second and third runs."

Muir goes in the Big Air final from 0200 GMT tomorrow morning.

Winter Olympic 2022: Women’s 1500m speed skating final

08:48 , Sarah Rendell

American Mia Kilburg has done very well to get herself into medal contention there! In the first few laps she was well behind the time set by Sloeva but the final lap saw her go hell for leather!

Coaches were screaming at her as she was down the back stretch and she made back good time to go second.

Smeding now seventh.

Winter Olympics 2022: Women’s 1500m speed skating final

08:44 , Sarah Rendell

Ekaterina Sloeva has taken a massive 1.79 seconds off of Uhrig’s run to take first, for now.

The Belarus star’s phenomenal run means Smeding is out of medal contention but she is in fifth at the moment which is a huge achievement for her first Olympics.

Winter Olympics 2022: Women’s 1500m speed skating final

08:37 , Sarah Rendell

Belgium’s Sandrine Tas and Poland’s Magdalena Czyszczon had seen them in third and fourth but they’ve been hit down the board.

Norway’s Sofie Karoline Haugen time sees her in fourth and Germany’s Michelle Uhrig had a fantastic finish to her run to go into first!

Smeding is still in medal contention as things stand.

Winter Olympics 2022: Ellia Smeding sets time in women’s 1500m speed skating final

08:34 , Jack Rathborn

Britain’s Ellia Smeding has set a time of 2.01.09 in the women’s 1500m speed skating final.

The final works with the competitors taking the circuit in pairs with the fastest time set taking gold. Yu Ting Huang took the track with Smedding and she went round the track in 2.00.78.

Smeding is the first British woman in long track speed skating at the Olympics in 42 years.

Winter Olympics 2022: Speed skating to come

08:26 , Sarah Rendell

Team GB’s Ellia Smeding will be in the women’s 1500m speed skating final at 8.30.

Stay tuned and we will bring you all the updates from that one, coming up in just a few minutes.

Winter Olympics 2022: Sara Hector wins women’s big slalom gold

08:19 , Sarah Rendell

Sweden’s Sara Hector was favourite heading into the Games to collect gold in the event and she didn’t let down expectations!

She was fastest in the first run and she backed it up with a flawless performance to claim gold. Her face lit up when she realised she had won and her team jumped around with joy!

Hector was 0.28 seconds faster than silver medal winner Italy’s Federica Brignone and 0.72 seconds quicker than bronze medallist Switzerland’s Lara Gut-Behrami.

Winter Olympics 2022: Men’s freeski big air - final qualification standings

08:11 , Jack Rathborn

Winter Olympics 2022: Men’s freeski big air - third and final run

08:03 , Jack Rathborn

A final run for James Woods, for pride!

A Stein Eriksen front flip, a bit of fun!

A big front flip flyaway, a 32.25, he bows out and looks forward to the slopestyle.

Winter Olympics 2022: Men’s freeski big air - third and final run

07:57 , Jack Rathborn

Édouard Therriault of Canada rockets up to 12th, he needed 84.5 and he gets it, by the slimmest of margins the 18-year-old is into the final as things stand.

Here’s Jesper Tjader, after 91.75 he’s lurking... Needs 77.00 to grab 12th and demote Therriault. A false position if you will right now due to his first run being just 34.75. And it’s 78.25! He’s into 10th, now Mac Forehand of the USA... He’s 11th and wants some breathing room to gain a later start in the final.

79.00 gets Mac into seventh overall, he’s delighted.

Kirsty Muir: Team GB’s youngest athlete soars into freestyle finals at Beijing Winter Olympics

07:53 , Jack Rathborn

Seventeen-year-old Kirsty Muir showed her mettle to soar into the final of the Olympic freestyle Big Air competition on the site of a former state-owned steel mill on the outskirts of Beijing

Muir, the youngest member of the 50-strong Team GB squad, nailed her first jump with a score of 89.25, the second biggest of the qualifying session which was only beaten by the French former World Cup winner Tess Ledeux.

Muir looked nerveless as she landed all three of her leaps, the best two of which are added to determine the final ranking. Her final tally of 157.50 left her less than six points adrift of third-placed Anastasia Tatalina of Russia.

Team GB’s youngest athlete Kirsty Muir soars into Olympic freestyle finals

Valieva takes gold after historic jump

07:49 , Jack Rathborn

Russia’s 15-year-old Kamila Valieva pulled off a historic quadruple jump to become the first female figure skater to ever execute one at an Olympic Games.

The Russian Olympic Committee already had gold ahead of United States and Japan before nailing a quadruple salchow to begin her free skate.

Winter Olympics 2022: Men’s freeski big air - third and final run

07:44 , Jack Rathborn

France’s Adelisse with a triple-grab there, can he sneak into 12th at Barclay’s expense?

79.50 first up, so he needs 83.50... It’s 83.75 and he snatches 12th! 163.25!

Donaggio’s first run of 90.25 gives him a chance here, the 18-year-old from Venice needs 73.00.

Adelisse watches on nervously, it’s 80.25, he rockets up to 8th. The relief is apparent!

Winter Olympics 2022: Men’s freeski big air - third and final run

07:37 , Jack Rathborn

Peltola lands with one ski, immense skill and gutsy move. The Finnish athlete having some fun on the way out, as he can’t qualify, but that’s the best until last for him, ending with 72.00 and up to 28th.

Now then, Barclay, on the bubble here, he needs 80.75 to get up to the top 12. The New Zealander loves it, now he waits...

It’s 84.50 to go with his first run of 81.00 for a combined 162.75 and up to 12th place. Now he faces a nervous wait.

Canada’s Moffatt falls short, 61.00, his total of 147.00 is only good enough for 16th.

Winter Olympics 2022: Men’s freeski big air - third and final run

07:34 , Jack Rathborn

Magnusson, currently third, can he make a statement here, he goes BIG!

The Swede closing in on the lead, an 1800 with a tail grab, immense difficulty. It’s 84.00, so not enough to top up his 177.25, he stays third.

Finn Bilous, 17th and 142.50 total... huge air from the New Zealander, he needs 88 to get to the final. It’s only 82.00, agonisingly short, up to 15th.

Winter Olympics 2022: Men’s freeski big air - third and final run

07:27 , Jack Rathborn

Ruud into first with 187.50 total, he loves that! The Norwegian snatches a place in the final.

Winter Olympics 2022: Men’s freeski big air - scores after two rounds

07:25 , Jack Rathborn

Ok, here we are after two runs:

1. Hall (USA) - 177.75

2. Magnusson (SWE) - 177.25

3. Harlaut (SWE) - 176.50

4. Stevenson (USA) - 174.25

5. Frostad (NOR) - 171.25

6. Lliso (ESP) - 170.75

7. McEachran (CAN) - 170.25

8. Forehand (USA) - 168.75

9. Nummedal (NOR) - 169.50

10. Ragettli (SUI) - 167.75

11. Boesch (SUI) - 161.75

12. Donaggio (ITA) - 160.50

But New Zealand's Barclay is just 0.75 combined off Donaggio before a bigger drop, 12.25 more points back to Canada's Moffat.

Winter Olympics 2022: Men’s freeski big air

07:15 , Jack Rathborn

Here’s James Woods, his second run after a 27.50 in round one, pressure!

Immense difficulty and the Briton falls, a shame, that will be it for him. The rotation change-up was always going to be tricky to execute. The Sheffield man punches the air in frustration.

Just 26.5, he’ll lean on the slopestyle.

Winter Olympics 2022: Men’s freeski big air

07:11 , Jack Rathborn

WOW! It’s 91.75 Tjader into 19th, the Swede is back in this after a disappointing first run, stunning!

America’s Mac Forehand next... 92.00 and rocketing up into sixth, very impressive, the best so far.

Lliso of Spain now. A 1620 with a tail grab, he’s backed up a great first run, the form carries into Beijing 2022. The Spanish camp LOVE it. The Madrid man has 80.50 and he’s up to sixth now.

07:08 , Jack Rathborn

Winter Olympics 2022: Men’s freeski big air

07:06 , Jack Rathborn

Therriault, 18, from Quebec, 83.5 to initially get into 11th. So he’s on the bubble so to speak.

Some frustration after sitting down on the landing. Only 42.00, down to 15th after run two.

Tormod Frostad of Norway is next... 81.25 and into fifth. Canada’s Teale Harle now, two second place finishes in World Cups. A shame, he goes big and falls on the landing, the difficulty was so hard, down in 30th for the Canadian to end his Olympic dream.

Winter Olympics 2022: Men’s freeski big air

07:02 , Jack Rathborn

Very interesting variation from Bacher, the Austrian has 56.75, he’s 13th, so on the outside in as he bids to make the Olympic final as a 17-year-old.

China’s He Jinbo, another 17-year-old... Not enough, still just 21st. Work to do.

Winter Olympics 2022: Men’s freeski big air

06:59 , Jack Rathborn

Now then, Henrik Harlaut, 13th, so the Swede will need to make a statement.

The 13-time X Games medalist, he LOVES it, arms outstretched and cheering on the landing after a blur of yellow in the yellow, impressive grab.

It’s 83.50 plus his first run of 93.00 and he’s into third, that’ll do nicely.

Fabian Boesch, the 2019 world champion, what can he do? 80.75 + 81.00, he’s sixth.

Winter Olympics 2022: Men’s freeski big air

06:55 , Jack Rathborn

Winter Olympics 2022: Men’s freeski big air

06:55 , Jack Rathborn

A hand touching down for Nick Goepper, the American can only score 49.50, he’s 10th and a nervous wait, he’ll go for run three.

Italy’s Donaggio shining on that run, 70.25, and he’s into fifth.

Winter Olympics 2022: Men’s freeski big air

06:47 , Jack Rathborn

Peltola of Finland taking some risks here, his hand brushes the surface on landing, pressure rising to squeeze into that top 12, it's only enough for 25th.

Impressive from New Zealand’s Ben Barclay, who is up to fifth. Max Moffatt of Canada next, on the outside in 16th currently. It’s 64.00 and up to sixth, he’s happy.

France’s Adelisse not happy with that 66.00, it’s enough for seventh though.

Winter Olympics 2022: Men’s freeski big air

06:44 , Jack Rathborn

Here’s James Woods during his first run:

Winter Olympics 2022: Men’s freeski big air

06:39 , Jack Rathborn

The competition is hotting up now, time running out for some of these athletes who need a solid second run.

Sweden’s Magnusson, after 88.0, only good enough for 11th, pairs that with a switch 18 as well, a tail grab from start to finish, impressive.

The former junior world champion slope style, it’s 89.25 and into second. Wow. He can relax now.

British curling duo prepare for Olympic battle with Norwegian foes

06:33 , Jack Rathborn

Jennifer Dodds and Bruce Mouat are relishing the prospect of immediate revenge as they prepare to face Norway for a place in the mixed curling gold medal match at the Beijing Olympics on Monday.

Dodds and Mouat rounded off their round-robin programme with a 8-4 win over the United States on Monday morning, a result which confirmed a semi-final meeting with Norway, to whom they lost 6-2 on Sunday night.

Dodds and Mouat beat the Norwegian duo – Kristen Skaslien and Magnus Nedregotten – 9-7 in the final of last year’s World Championship in Aberdeen.

British curling duo prepare for Olympic battle with Norwegian foes

Winter Olympics 2022: Men’s freeski big air

06:31 , Jack Rathborn

Colby Stevenson, wow! That’s 90.50 and up to second, that’ll do for qualification. Impressive from the American.

Winter Olympics 2022: Men’s freeski big air

06:29 , Jack Rathborn

The top 12 for now includes, Ruud, Sweden's Henrik Harlaut, Norwa's Christian Nummedal, Italy's Leonardo Donaggio, Spain's Javier Lliso, Norway's Tormod Frostad, Switzerland's Andri Ragettli and Sweden's Oliwer Magnussen.

The USA's Alexander Hall and Colby Stevenson and Canada's Edouard Therriault.

Winter Olympics 2022: Men’s big air

06:24 , Jack Rathborn

Canada’s Evan McEachran next... Switch triple cork for him and it’s good, he lies down on the snow in relief after nailing the landing. Just the five rotations there.

It’s 81.75 and 13th place for McEachran after shouting out his Mum.

Ferdinand Dahl is last up, the Norwegian messes up his landing after failing to rotate fully. He’s 31st with just 12.00 for that.

It’s the best two scores out of three runs, top 12 will advance, Woods still has control of his own destiny, Norway's Birk Ruud leads after Run 1.

Winter Olympics 2022: Men’s big air

06:22 , Jack Rathborn

Spain’s Thibault Magnin is up to 24th, that’s a score of 41.25. The hand brushing the surface on the landing costing him there.

Christian Nummedal up next... A switch 1800, the Norwegian is raising the stakes, 92.25! He rockets up to third, stunning scenes.

Winter Olympics 2022: Men’s big air

06:18 , Jack Rathborn

Here comes James Woods... His third Olympics.

A triple cork attempted, but he can't land that. He's OK though, a little gesture to the crowd, he's fine.

Some pressure now to make the final. 27.50, he’ll have to go again.

Cancer survivor Max Parrot wins gold in freestyle skiing

05:48 , Namita Singh

Max Parrot of Canada- the Cancer survivor– will be the Olympic champion of this year in freestyle skiing.

Su Yiming, only 17, claimed an impressive silver in front of his home fans, while Mark McMorris won bronze, doubling Canada’s medal tally on the podium.

Defending champion Red Gerard of the Team USA finished fourth.

American figure skater Vincent Zhou tests positive for Covid

05:19 , Namita Singh

US figure skater Vincent Zhou has tested positive for Covid-19, US Figure Skating said in a statement.

“As part of yesterday’s regular COVID-19 screening, Vincent Zhou tested positive,” it said.

“Zhou is undergoing additional testing to confirm his status. If the results are negative, Zhou will be able to compete in the men’s short programme, which begins Tuesday.”

Chinese tennis player Peng denies making sexual assault accusations

05:07 , Namita Singh

Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai has denied she ever accused anyone of sexual assault, adding that she herself had deleted her social media post in November that had appeared to make such a claim.

The issue had gained global attention after three-time Olympian Peng appeared to allege on social media that Zhang Gaoli, a former Chinese vice president had sexually assaulted her in past.

In an interview with French newspaper L’Equipe at a hotel in Beijing, Peng denied she had made such allegations.

“In the text we could see in Europe, you accused someone of sexual assault. What did you really write? We don’t understand,” asked the paper.

“Sexual assault? I never said anyone had sexually assaulted me in any way,” said Peng, without elaborating, reported Reuters.

It's gold for ROC in women's free skating

04:33 , Namita Singh

The ROC skater Kamila Valieva earned gold for the team in the first medal event of the day, as she topped the scoreboard with 178.92 points.

With Karen Chen out-scoring China’s Zhu Yi, she guaranteed Team USA a silver, and Japan could not be overtaken for bronze as Kaori Sakamoto secured the second spot during the event earning 148.66 points

Sweden’s Hector leads after first women’s GS run

04:10 , Namita Singh

Sweden’s Sara Hector topped the first run of the women’s giant slalom completing the run in 57.56 seconds.

She was 0.30 ahead of Austria’s Katharina Truppe and 0.42 faster than Italian Federica Brignone who came third.

Qualifier scores of first Olympic freeski big air are in

03:55 , Namita Singh

The Winter Olympics had the first-ever qualifiers in freeski big air today with Canada’s Megan Oldham topping the scoreboard. In the three runs, Oldham earned a total of 171.25 points, thereby qualifying to the finals along with 11 others.

France’s Tess Ledeux scored 171 points, landing second on the scoreboard while Norway’s Sandra Eie was a distant third with 162 points.

Chock-Bates deliver a win for Team USA in free dance

03:52 , Namita Singh

As the countries entered the third and the final day of the figure skating event, team USA’s Madison Chock and Evan Bates resumed Monday with the highest score in the free dance, delivering a win to their team while scoring their new personal best at 129.07.

They were followed by Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) Victoria Sinitsina and Nikita Katsalapov, who scored 128.17 while, Canada’s Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier earned the third spot with 124.39 points.

Surprise exit for defending champion Mikaela Shiffrin

03:20 , Namita Singh

Two-time Olympic champion Mikaela Shiffrin was disqualified from giant slalom at the Beijing Games after she missed a gate early in the first run.

Coming around a left-turn gate, she lost her ski’s edge and fell on her side. Having arrived in China as one of the most-watched athletes in any sport at the Winter Olympics, this is the first time since January 2018, that the 26-year-old failed to finish a race.

Olympics Live: Defending champ Shiffrin out of giant slalom

Defending champions Canada eliminated

03:11 , Namita Singh

The round-robin in mixed doubles curling comes to an end with the last four matches, before the semi-finals take place in the evening.

While Norway continued their winning streak, beating Switzerland by 5-6, Italy, who are already in the semi-finals also beat the defending champions Canada by 7-8, eliminating them from the event.

Team GB bounced back from their yesterday’s defeat against Norway beating Team USA 8-4 and the Czech Republic beat the hosts finishing the match 8-6.