Li Yan

Li’s most successful year as an active skater was in 1992. At the World Championships, she claimed wins in the 500 m and 1,000 m, as well as second place in the overall classification. In addition, she won silver at the Albertville Olympics, where short track speed skating first had official medal status. In the 500 m, she only narrowly failed to catch Cathy Turner in the home stretch, losing by just 0.04 seconds. Four years earlier, when short track was a demonstration sport, she earned two third places in the 500 and 1,500 m. Several years after Li’s retirement, she was invited to coach the national team of Slovakia. Successful qualification for the 2002 Olympics earned her a coaching stint for the US national team. Her good performances led to her appointment as national team coach for China. At the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, the Chinese women swept the gold medals in all four event, a first. Li is married to Tang Guoliang, who represented China at the 1992 Winter Olympics in biathlon.