Korea Eyes Two More Golds in Short Track After Women's Relay Win

Two more chances remain.

The Korean short track team will hunt for gold in the women's 1500m and men's 5000m relay on Friday (Korea time).

According to the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics schedule released on Wednesday, Choi Min-jeong, Kim Gil-li, and Noh Do-hee will begin their medal race in the women's 1500m quarterfinals at 4:15 a.m. Kim Gil-li competes first in Heat 1, followed by Choi in Heat 3 and Noh in Heat 6.

The spotlight falls on "living legend" Choi Min-jeong's medal prospects. With four Olympic gold medals to date, Choi has tied former skater Jeon Lee-kyung for the most Winter Olympic golds by a Korean athlete across both genders. Having won back-to-back 1500m titles at the 2018 Pyeongchang and 2022 Beijing Games, she remains a strong favorite. A gold medal would make her Korea's most decorated Winter Olympian. Even a bronze would give her seven career Olympic medals, surpassing shooter Jin Jong-oh, archer Kim Soo-nyung, and speed skater Lee Seung-hoon for the most by any Korean athlete.

At 5:30 a.m. the same day, the men's team of Lim Jong-eon, Hwang Dae-heon, Lee Jung-min, Lee Jun-seo, and Shin Dong-min will chase gold in the 5000m relay. The event has historically proved difficult for Korea despite its short track dominance. The country has won gold only twice—at Albertville 1992 and Turin 2006.

This squad shows exceptional determination. Veterans Lim Jong-eon and Hwang Dae-heon anchor the team while Lee Jung-min, Lee Jun-seo, and Shin Dong-min provide energy and chemistry. The team dominated their semifinal on Sunday local time, finishing first to advance to the final.

Before the Games, the short track team set a target of two gold medals. Sweeping both events on Friday's "Golden Day" would exceed that goal.