VANCOUVER — This is why Shen Xue and Zhao Hongbo came back.
The Chinese pair finally won the Olympic gold medal that eluded them for so many years Monday night, a prize so compelling it lured them out of the cozy life of a happily retired married couple. It wasn’t the best skate of their career — she tumbled onto his back during a lift — but it was good enough to strike gold.
Their score of 216.57 points was more than three points ahead of teammates Pang Qing and Tong Jian. Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy of Germany dropped to the bronze.
“It’s been so many years,” Zhao said. “To finally get this gold today is so exciting.”
The gold medal is the first in figure skating for China. The more shocking stat is that it’s the first time since 1960 that a Russian or Soviet couple isn’t atop the Olympic podium, ending one of the longest streaks in sports.
Shen and Zhao, bronze medalists at the last two Olympics, returned this season and despite being 31 (her) and 36 (him), ancient in pairs skating, dominated everywhere they competed. They skated with the passion that has become their new trademark. Their throw jumps were huge and flawless, the kind of tricks that would dazzle even the X Games generation.
For the Americans, it was their worst showing in pairs. Amanda Evora and Mark Ladwig were 10th and Caydee Denney and Jeremy Barrett finished 13th. The Associated Press
