K Golden Days Set for Feb 13, 16, 19, 21: Short Track Carries Korea's Medal Hopes

Team Korea embarks on a gold medal hunt at the Winter Olympics returning after four years.

With the 2026 Milan-Cortina d'Ampezzo Winter Olympics kicking off with the opening ceremony at Milan's San Siro Olympic Stadium on February 7 (Korea time), Team Korea aims to return to the top 10 in overall standings for the first time in eight years.

Korea achieved a historic fifth-place finish with six gold medals at the 2010 Vancouver Games, represented by figure skating star Kim Yuna and speed skater Lee Sang-hwa. The nation placed 13th at Sochi 2014 (three golds), then climbed to seventh at the home PyeongChang 2018 Games with five golds. At Beijing 2022, Korea finished 14th with two gold medals.

The Korean Sport & Olympic Committee projects that a minimum of three gold medals could secure a top-10 return. That figure represents a conservative estimate—if the delegation gains momentum early and athletes maintain peak condition on competition days, expectations rise for five or more golds. "Recent performances across various sports show an upward trend, and depending on circumstances, we could aim for four to five gold medals," said Lee Soo-kyung, head of the Korean delegation.

Team Korea's "K Golden Days" fall on February 13, 16, 19, and 21—all short track competition days. Short track has been Korea's most reliable gold medal source, accounting for 26 of the nation's 33 Winter Olympic gold medals, or 78.8 percent.

Gold medal opportunities exist in the men's 1,000m on February 13, women's 1,000m on February 16, women's 3,000m relay on February 19, and women's 1,500m on February 21. The men's 1,500m on February 15 also presents medal potential. If short track delivers as expected, Korea could replicate its Vancouver-level success.

Nineteen-year-old high school senior Lim Jong-eon has emerged as a world-class competitor, while the women's team features Kim Gil-li, the 2023-2024 season overall champion, and three-time Olympic gold medalist Choi Min-jung.

Choi Min-jung, who won consecutive women's 1,500m titles at PyeongChang 2018 and Beijing 2022, is attempting to become the first short track skater to win three consecutive Olympic gold medals in a single event. The final is scheduled for approximately 5:30 a.m. on February 21. One more gold would tie Choi with Jeon Lee-kyung and Wang Meng (China) for the most women's short track gold medals at four. She could achieve this record earlier in the mixed 2,000m relay on February 10.

Despite Korea's status as a short track powerhouse, the sport's unpredictable nature creates uncertainty. Unlike speed skating, where athletes focus solely on their own performance, short track requires blocking opponents and tactical maneuvering. Unexpected collisions or falling victim to rivals' strategies can derail medal hopes. Disqualifications for improper contact frequently occur even when skaters cross the finish line first.

Tactics once considered Korea's secret weapons—blade positioning and the "gourd-shape technique" of moving from inside to outside lanes—are now familiar to competitors worldwide. At last year's Olympic qualifying World Tour events, Korea won nine gold, six silver, and four bronze medals, but Canada's William Dandjinou and Courtney Sarault claimed the MVP crystal trophies in both men's and women's events. Both currently rank first in world standings. The men's team also faces pressure from Lin Xiaojun (China), a naturalized skater originally from Korea.

Team unity remains crucial for the short track squad, which previously struggled with faction disputes. At PyeongChang 2018, allegations emerged that Shim Suk-hee deliberately collided with Choi Min-jung, creating tension between them. In the 2023-2024 season, men's skater Hwang Dae-heon drew criticism for repeated fouls against rival teammates.

In speed skating, Jung Jae-won leads Korea's hopes in the men's mass start on February 22. This marks his third Olympics after winning silver in team pursuit at PyeongChang 2018 and mass start silver at Beijing 2022. He demonstrated his closing ability at last November's World Cup, surging from 12th to 2nd in the final lap.

Korean skiing and snowboarding could reach a turning point. Halfpipe competitors Lee Chae-un (men) and Choi Ga-on (women), along with women's big air athlete Yoo Seung-eun, are medal contenders. Eighteen-year-old Choi Ga-on has won gold at all three World Cup events this season, positioning herself to end Chloe Kim's (United States) dominance. Kim, seeking her third consecutive Olympic title, has not fully prepared due to injury.

Korea's first medal could come on the evening of February 8 through Lee Sang-ho in men's parallel giant slalom. The snowboarder who won Korea's first-ever Olympic snow sports medal (silver) at PyeongChang eight years ago recently boosted his confidence by winning a World Cup final in Slovenia by just two finger-widths. An Olympic gold is possible depending on his condition that day. Korea has accumulated 399 total medals across Summer and Winter Olympics. Lee Sang-ho is a strong candidate to become the 400th medalist.