Alison Fox:, external Can somebody please explain to me how Elise Christie was penalised? That is beyond out of order!

Joseff Bird:, external Sochi Games have been marred by some terrible judging. Unexplainable that decision.

Paul Colburn:, external Check the replay. Don't think Elise crossed the line on the penultimate lap. A lesson she should have learnt after the previous DNF.

Hugh Porter
BBC short track and speed skating commentator

"The pivotal moment was when Christie got into second position and the Chinese athlete was so fired up, but there wasn't anywhere for her to go. For my money that move has stopped Christie from getting a medal and she was skating so well, she could take on anyone. I can not stomach the decision and I'm shocked by some of these decisions we've seen in these Games. So we'll have to wait and see how she bounces back from that. The disappointment of one race is enough, but three is really hard."

Rob Hodgetts
BBC Sport in Sochi

"Mikaela Shiffrin marked herself out as rare champion with an ice-cool display to win slalom gold under the floodlights at Rosa Khutor.

"At the age of 18, she shouldered mounting expectation to add the Olympic title to her world championship crown.

"The dominant slalom skier of the moment pulled off a sensational recovery halfway down the course - prompting huge intakes of breath from the crowd and assembled media - to hang onto her first-run lead and beat Austrian Marlies Schild into silver. Shiffrin has confirmed she is the real deal."

There was also a little shove from Christie on Li before the final corner, and we believe it is for that incident that she has been disqualified.

Image source, AP

I hate to say it but the more I watch this, the more culpable Christie looks. In her efforts to secure second place she appeared to push her shoulder into the side of Li Jianrou, causing the Chinese skater to lose balance. Li then took out Christie, but hadn't the offence already been committed by the Brit? I'm just calling it as I see it.

Hugh Porter
BBC short track and speed skating commentator

Image source, Getty Images

"I find that absolutely bewildering. The Sochi Olympics has been very harsh to Elise Christie. She was clearly in my opinion taken out, Christie definitely deserved it and spun out because of the clash with the Chinese athlete. I'm almost speechless. It's absolutely astonishing."

There is utter disbelief in the BBC commentary box in Sochi, and a stunned silence has descended over BBC Sport HQ here in Salford too. Did Christie block the Chinese girl and cause her to slide? It seems very harsh. There is no channel of appeal, so Christie's Olympics are over.

Wilf O’Reilly
Former Olympic short track speed skater on BBC TV

"Nicky Gooch is calling the referee over asking him what is going on? I have no idea what is going on. She was clearly in a qualifying position."

Image source, Getty Images

Oh no! It's heartbreak once again for Christie as news reaches us that she is being penalised and will not go through.

It's brilliant from Christie as she storms from the back of the field to second place, but on the last bend Li Jianrou of China slips and tackles Christie off the course. The judges are consulting now to determine whether Christie is in the final.

Wilf O’Reilly
Former Olympic short track speed skater on BBC TV

"I'm sure Christie will be advanced. She was in a qualifying position."

Image source, AP

Crazy scenes. Is Christie through or not? She gets herself into second but is taken out by another competitor on the way to the line.

Elise Christie will compete now in the second semi-final, against two Chinese athletes and one from Korea. Third time lucky?

Korea's Park Seung-Hi wins the first women's 1,000m semi-final. Valerie Maltais of Canada is in second place but slips at the last moment to hand Jessica Smith of the USA a place in the final.

Wilf O’Reilly
Former Olympic short track speed skater on BBC TV

"It's disappointing for Jon Eley. He made a mistake at the moment when he was going to go through. Jon would have liked to get into the A final where anything can happen, but he has done himself justice."

Hugh Porter
BBC short track and speed skating commentator

"Jon Eley had a bad start, missing out on holding on to second place. He acquitted himself well and rose to the challenge but has to settle for fourth."

Image source, PA

Eley is forced into third at the start of the race, but hangs in a good position and looks well-poised to overtake. But a slight slip sees him fall back to fourth, ending his hopes of an Olympic medal. Victor An of Russia and China's Liang Wenhao go through to the final.

Nerves are starting to play a part. Sjinkie Knegt of the Netherlands jumps the gun and is penalised for a false start.

Wu Dajing of China wins the first semi-final, while Charle Cournoyer of Canada sneaks ahead of China's Han Tianyu to take second. GB's Jon Eley is up now...

zx_spectrum_30:, external "Glued to the Speed Skating...come on Jon & Elise."

Carl Lewington:, external "If anyone deserves a medal in these games it's Elise Christie."

Reynolds Effect:, external "Crashing into the barrier whilst sliding on your bum looks like the best part of speed skating."