Shim Suk-hee races in the women’s 3,000-meter relay semifinal at the Milan Ice Skating Arena during the 2026 Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, on Feb. 14 (local time). [Photo by Yonhap]
Shim Suk-hee of Seoul City Hall, back on the Olympic stage after eight years, helped South Korea win gold in the women’s 3,000-meter relay for her third career Olympic gold medal in the event.
On Feb. 19 (Korea time), Shim and South Korea won the short track women’s 3,000-meter relay at the 2026 Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo Winter Olympics. It was her third Olympic relay gold, after 2014 Sochi and 2018 Pyeongchang. Shim missed the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics because of a suspension.
Her role in Milan differed from earlier Games. After placing third at the national team trials last April, she joined the relay squad and focused on the team event rather than serving as the centerpiece.
Her main job was using her 175-centimeter frame and powerful drive to push her younger teammates. In key late-race moments, she was tasked with giving a strong push to lead skater Choi Min-jeong of Seongnam City Hall to change the race’s momentum.
That played out in the semifinals. With 10 laps left, Choi received Shim’s push, cut to the inside and passed Canada to take the lead. South Korea was later overtaken by China, but another push helped the team regain control and secure a spot in the final.
The decisive moment in the final on Feb. 19 was similar. With four laps remaining, Shim pushed Choi at full effort, and Choi accelerated past Canada. Anchor Kim Gil-li then held off Italy’s Arianna Fontana to seal the gold.
After the medal was secured, Shim covered her face with both hands and cried. In the mixed zone, she said, “There were many difficult moments, both during the Olympic preparation process and in today’s final,” adding, “It was overwhelming because I think all of us endured and overcame that tough process together.”
Asked about winning her third relay gold, Shim said, “I was able to get good results thanks to meeting the right teammates each time,” and added, “I’ll live each day working hard.”
On Feb. 19 (Korea time), Shim and South Korea won the short track women’s 3,000-meter relay at the 2026 Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo Winter Olympics. It was her third Olympic relay gold, after 2014 Sochi and 2018 Pyeongchang. Shim missed the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics because of a suspension.
Her role in Milan differed from earlier Games. After placing third at the national team trials last April, she joined the relay squad and focused on the team event rather than serving as the centerpiece.
Her main job was using her 175-centimeter frame and powerful drive to push her younger teammates. In key late-race moments, she was tasked with giving a strong push to lead skater Choi Min-jeong of Seongnam City Hall to change the race’s momentum.
That played out in the semifinals. With 10 laps left, Choi received Shim’s push, cut to the inside and passed Canada to take the lead. South Korea was later overtaken by China, but another push helped the team regain control and secure a spot in the final.
The decisive moment in the final on Feb. 19 was similar. With four laps remaining, Shim pushed Choi at full effort, and Choi accelerated past Canada. Anchor Kim Gil-li then held off Italy’s Arianna Fontana to seal the gold.
After the medal was secured, Shim covered her face with both hands and cried. In the mixed zone, she said, “There were many difficult moments, both during the Olympic preparation process and in today’s final,” adding, “It was overwhelming because I think all of us endured and overcame that tough process together.”
Asked about winning her third relay gold, Shim said, “I was able to get good results thanks to meeting the right teammates each time,” and added, “I’ll live each day working hard.”
* This article has been translated by AI.
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