China wins first cycling Olympic gold, owes glory to French coach

The Chinese pair celebrate during the awarding ceremony, Rio de Janeiro, Aug 12, 2016. [Photo by Wei Xiaohao/chinadaily.com.cn]

RIO DE JANEIRO - China claimed its first cycling Olympic gold after Gong Jinjie and Zhong Tianshi won the women's team sprint in the Rio Olympic Velodrome on Friday.

The Chinese due beat Daria Shmeleva and Anastasiia Voinova of Russia in the final to take the gold, while the bronze went to Germany who defeated Australia.

Gong Jinjie and Zhong Tianshi set a new world record of 31.928 seconds in the first round after breaking an Olympic record in the qualifying round.