500 metres, Women

Since China’s Fan Kexin had claimed the 500 m world title three years in a row (2015-17) and five times in total, she was considered a major candidate to become the fifth consecutive winner of this event to hail from China, following Yang Yang (A), Wang Meng (twice) and Li Jianrou. Fan had seen decent results at the World Cups this season, but no podiums. Instead, these races had been dominated by Marianne St-Gelais and Kim Boutin (both Canadians) as well as Choi Min-Jeong and Arianna Fontana.

Some fast times were recorded in the tournament, as 2017 overall world champion Elise Christie and Choi both lowered the Olympic Record twice each in the preliminary round. The first favourite to be eliminated was St-Gelais (quarter-finals), followed in the semi-finals by Fan. The five-skater final was a close affair. With Christie crashing out in the final lap, Fontana and Choi crossed the line almost simultaneously. Fontana emerged first from the photo finish, while Choi was disqualified for interference during the final metres. This left a surprise silver to Yara van Kerkhof of Netherlands, who won her first individual medal at a major international event. Boutin won the bronze. She would go on to win two more medals, winning medals in every individual distance at the Pyeongchang Games.