Latvian short-track skater Bērziņš started his race in fourth position and maintained it for most of the distance. As the race approached its critical moments, he attempted to improve his standing but fell in a turn while competing for a coveted second place with Turkish competitor Furkan Akar, who was subsequently disqualified due to the incident. Despite finishing the race, Bērziņš's time was not sufficient to secure a place in the quarter-finals, resulting in his elimination from further competition.

After the race, Bērziņš stated in an interview with Latvian Television that he could not immediately explain the reasons for the fall and would need to review the video replay to understand what happened. This was his second appearance at the Olympic Games, as he had also failed to reach the quarter-finals in the 1000 meters. Meanwhile, his fellow countryman Roberts Krūzbergs achieved a notable fifth place in the A final and a historic bronze in the 1500-meter distance, highlighting the competitive spirit among Latvian skaters at the event.

The outcome for Bērziņš not only marks a disappointing result for him personally but also reflects the challenges faced by athletes competing at the highest level, where fractions of seconds and unforeseen incidents can drastically affect the results. With Krūzbergs achieving significant recognition, the contrasting performances may also impact how future training and support are structured for Latvian athletes in Olympic events.