Choi Min-jung Says Mother's Letter Gave Strength at Final Olympics

"There were many difficult moments during the Olympics, but my mother's letter helped me stay focused."

Choi Min-jung of the South Korean women's short track team, who announced her retirement from Olympic competition after the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, revealed that a letter from her mother before the Games gave her great strength.

"On the day I left for Italy, my mother gave me a letter and told me to read it on the plane. I cried a lot reading it during the flight," Choi said at a press conference held at Korea House in Villa Necchi Campiglio, Milan, Italy on February 21 (local time). "My mother said that just competing as an athlete until now was hard work, and that I am the gold medal of her life. I think her letter helped me finish my last Olympics well."

Earlier that day, Choi won a silver medal in the women's 1,500-meter short track final at the Milan Ice Skating Arena, finishing second behind Kim Gil-li.

With this silver medal, Choi now holds a career total of seven Olympic medals (four gold, three silver), breaking the record for most Olympic medals by a South Korean athlete. She surpassed Jin Jong-oh (shooting), Kim Soo-nyung (archery), and Lee Seung-hoon (speed skating), who each had six medals.

After the race, Choi confirmed her retirement from Olympic competition.

"It is certain that this Olympics is my last," she said. "I will take time to decide on retirement from the national team and my athletic career."

Choi expressed gratitude to teammates who trained with her for the Olympics. "Lee So-yeon, the eldest on the women's team, was a great help," she said. "I pushed through thinking, 'If So-yeon, who is older, can work that hard, I can endure too.'"

Teammates at the press conference shared their appreciation for Choi. Kim Gil-li said, "Min-jung worked so hard as team captain. It was an honor to compete on this big stage with her. It will be an unforgettable memory."

Lee So-yeon said, "Watching her closely, Min-jung was the most dedicated athlete. When she cried after the 1,500-meter final, I got emotional too."

Shim Suk-hee thanked Choi, saying, "She must have been busy preparing for individual events, but she prioritized the team relay even more. She must have felt pressure as captain, but she worked hard without complaint."

Noh Do-hee said, "I found out about Min-jung's retirement from the interview article. I was a bit sad when I heard." She added, "She never shows when she's struggling, so seeing her cry and show emotion made me realize how hard it must have been for her."