South Korean short track speed skater Kim Gil-li (Seongnam City Hall) was selected as the national team’s most valuable player at the 2026 Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo Winter Olympics.
The Korean Sport & Olympic Committee announced the honor at the team’s wrap-up ceremony held Feb. 22 (Korea time) at Korea House in Milan. Kim received more than 80% support in a vote by reporters covering the Games, beating snowboard halfpipe gold medalist Choi Ga-on (Sehwa Girls’ High School).
Kim won gold in the women’s 3,000-meter relay and the 1,500 meters, and added bronze in the 1,000, finishing with three medals (two gold, one bronze). “I just tried my best in every race, and the results followed,” Kim said. “It still doesn’t feel real that it’s over, but I’ll set my next goal and keep growing as an athlete.”
About 40 people attended the ceremony, including KSOC President Yoo Seung-min, head of delegation Lee Soo-kyung and Culture, Sports and Tourism Vice Minister Kim Dae-hyun. Yoo said the athletes’ focus and fighting spirit “moved us beyond the results.” National Training Center director Kim Taek-soo, in a performance report, cited maintaining South Korea’s strength in ice sports while making major progress in snow events.
South Korea sent 71 athletes across six sports and finished with 10 medals: three gold, four silver and three bronze. The main delegation is scheduled to return to South Korea on Feb. 24 via Incheon International Airport.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.