Olympics: Japan's team pursuit title defense ends with fall on final bend

Japan's Olympic title defense in the women's speed skating team pursuit ended in tragedy Tuesday at the Beijing Games after Nana Takagi fell on the last bend of the final, handing the gold medal to Canada.The three-woman team of Ayano Sato, Miho Takagi and her older sister Nana came into the final at the National Speed Skating Oval looking to repeat as Olympic champions after winning four years ago in Pyeongchang, South Korea.Having advanced to the gold medal race with a big semifinal win over the Russian Olympic Committee earlier in the day, Japan led Canada at every split and looked on co…READ FULL ARTICLE