Olympic runner-up Fan eyes Asiad gold

Chinese short track speed skater, 23-year-old Fan Kexin has said she expects to rule the women's 500-metre at the upcoming Asian Winter Games.

The Chinese delegation held its flag-raising ceremony here on Saturday, and the short track national team all took part, reports Xinhua news agency.

"I want a better finish than the last Asiad," said Fan, who claimed the 1,000m silver medal at Sochi Winter Games in 2014.

"Last time I took a silver in 500m and we won the relay."

Fan could have won an Olympic gold in Sochi where she was tipped a hot favorite, but she accidentally fell in the 500m final before teammate Li Jianrou took the title.

"It has been three years since the Sochi Games. It is not a regret, actually it is a lesson," said Fan, who won the 500m at the 2016 Worlds.

"I have set the target of winning an Olympic title a long time ago. Failing to win it in Sochi let me know that I still need to practise and need to improve. Of course, I want to win a gold in Pyeongchang 2018."

The short track team arrived at Sapporo on Friday and the competition starts on Monday, which means they only have two days to get familiar with the venue.

"I don't think it is a problem," said Fan. "Because most teams are like us. It is quite fair."

Fan has been tipped as the leader of the short track team but says she does not think herself is a leader.

"I have been with the national team the longest, but I am not a leader, because I don't have any persuasive result," she said. "I have never won an Olympic gold."

The 8th Asian Winter Games kick off on Sunday and will end on February 26.

--IANS

ajb/vt