South Korea showed its depth in short-track speed skating as it held off a strong challenge from Canada to win the men's 5,000 meters relay gold medal at the Turin Winter Olympics.

 

South Korea, anchored by Ahn Hyun-soo, the current Olympic 500mand 1,500m gold medalist, finished in 6 minutes 43.376 seconds, an Olympic record time.

 

The Canadians, who were a constant threat to South Korea throughout the 45-lap race, had to settle for the silver just .331seconds behind, with the United States finishing a distant third place in 6:47.990.

 

Hosts Italy finished fourth in 6:48.597, and China was fifth in6:53.989.

 

(Xinhua News Agency February 26, 2006)