Speed skater Martina Sáblíková’s hopes of securing medal in the 5,000m race dashed

Czechia’s legendary speed skater Martina Sáblíková’s hopes of securing a medal in what will likely be her last Winter Olympics were dashed on Thursday as she placed 11th in the 5,000 meters race, her favourite  discipline.

The gold went to Italy’s Francesca Lollobrigida, who edged out Dutch skater Merel Conijn by just one tenth of a second in a tightly contested finish.

Sáblíková, a two-time Olympic champion in the 5,000 meters race, was hampered by illness that had already forced her to withdraw from the 3,000 meters earlier in the competition.