China bags Winter Games gold and a rap for ‘cynical ploy’ of Uyghur torchbearer

Host nation's speedskating win overshadowed by criticism for using athlete from a persecuted minority to light the Olympic flame

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-19 regulations certainly made themselves heard as China's mixed relay quartet held off Italy by the width of a blade in a dramatic short-track speedskating final.