Kim Gilly Claims Three Medals in Olympic Debut, First Since 2006

The 2026 Milan-Cortina d'Ampezzo Winter Olympics will be remembered as the stage where Kim Gilly (22, Seongnam City Hall)—nicknamed "Lamborgilly" (Lamborghini + Gilly)—established herself in the lineage of Korean women's short track speed skating aces.

Kim won gold in the women's 1500m final at Milan Ice Skating Arena on January 21, finishing in 2 minutes 32.076 seconds. This was her second gold and third medal of the Games.

Having earlier claimed bronze in the women's 1000m and gold in the women's 3000m relay, Kim achieved two golds and one bronze in her Olympic debut. She collected the most medals among Korean athletes at these Games and became the only double gold medalist.

The last female skater to win three or more medals at her first Olympics was Jin Sun-yu (three golds) at the 2006 Turin Games—20 years ago. Including male athletes, Lee Jung-su (two golds, one silver) at the 2010 Vancouver Games was the last to accomplish this feat, 16 years ago.

Even Korean short track legends Jeon Lee-kyung and Choi Min-jung (Seongnam City Hall)—who holds the record for most Olympic medals by a Korean athlete across Summer and Winter Games with seven—did not win three medals at their first Olympics.

Born in July 2004, Kim has firmly established herself as the new ace of Korea's women's short track team, succeeding Choi Min-jung.

Kim showed promise during her time at Seohyun High School, displaying dominant skills among peers her age. Her stamina, which rivals world-class athletes, has been cited as her greatest strength.

In her senior debut season during the 2022-2023 ISU Short Track World Cup, she finished fourth in overall standings, proving her potential. The following 2023-2024 season, she ranked first overall and became the inaugural Crystal Globe winner.

Her race strategy leveraging these strengths also stood out. She repeatedly produced dramatic comebacks in long-distance events by freely switching between inside and outside lanes in the later stages.

She faced setbacks too. The following year, she lost her world number one ranking while struggling against rivals' concentrated defensive tactics and thorough analysis. At the 2025 Harbin Asian Winter Games—her first major international multi-sport event—she fell during the women's 3000m relay final, creating psychological pressure.

In the mixed 2000m relay semifinal at the Milan-Cortina Games—her first medal race—she also fell after colliding with America's Corinne Stoddard and blamed herself.

However, Kim shed her mental burden and regained confidence by anchoring a dramatic come-from-behind victory in the women's 3000m relay final. The image of her pressing both hands on the ice to maintain balance at the final corner showed the pressure she had been carrying.

Free of that burden, Kim performed at her best in the women's 1500m—the final short track medal event of these Games.

She competed in friendly rivalry with Choi Min-jung, her idol, role model, and close friend. Running second with two laps remaining, Kim overtook even Choi to cross the finish line first, raising both arms in her signature celebration. It was the moment Kim Gilly's era began in earnest. Choi embraced the tearful Kim in congratulation.