Dutch skater Nuis sets Olympic record in men's 1,500 meters

By Emre Asikci

ISTANBUL (AA) - Dutch skater Kjeld Nuis on Tuesday broke the Olympic record and won the gold medal in the men's 1,500 meters speed skating competition.

"What a performance from Nuis to retain his Olympic title! Just minutes after his compatriot Thomas Krol had broken the Olympic record with a time of 1:43.55, Nuis goes one better to set a new record with a time of 1:43.21!," Olympics said in a statement.

Krol won the silver medal, while the bronze medal went to Kim Minseok from South Korea.

Nearly 3,000 athletes from 93 countries are taking part in the Winter Olympic Games.

Sweden are at the top spot of the medals tally with six medals, including four golds, one silver, and one bronze, followed by the Netherlands with three golds and silvers each, and one bronze.