Gold for Sáblíková Czechs’ first medal in Vancouver

The Czech team at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver has taken its first medal, gold for speed skater Martina Sáblíková in the 3,000 metres. She set a course record of 4 minutes 2.53 seconds in Sunday’s race, finishing over two seconds ahead of her nearest rival. Sáblíková, who is 22, has become only the second Czech woman ever to win gold at a Winter Olympics. Next week she will compete in her preferred event, the 5,000 metres, in which she is also the favourite.