Glory on the track. Growing criticism off it. China ended day one of these Winter Olympics by celebrating a thrilling first gold medal, while also finding itself facing growing condemnation from human rights groups after selecting a Uyghur to light the Olympic flame.
The small number of fans in the Capital Indoor Stadium because of Covid regulations nevertheless made themselves heard as China’s mixed relay quartet held off Italy by the width of a blade in a dramatic short-track speed skating final.
