Long-track speedskater Martina Sablikova wins gold in women’s 3,000 meters

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Martina Sablikova won the women’s 3,000 meters, the first of a two possible long-distance gold medals for the Czech speedskater. Sablikova also is favored to win the 5,000 meters later in the Olympics.

Germany’s Stephanie Beckert won the silver medal and Canada’s Kristina Groves the bronze.

Sablikova finished in 4 minutes 2.53 seconds for a margin of 2.09 seconds over Beckert. Groves had 4:04.84 and fell short of giving Canada its first gold medal on home soil.

-- Houston Mitchell in Vancouver, Canada