Lin Xiaojun Leaves Milan Empty-Handed: 'I Shut Out the Noise and Kept Running'

Lin Xiaojun (Korean name: Lim Hyo-jun), who returned to the Olympics after eight years competing under China's flag, concluded the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics saying, "Short track has been my entire life. I didn't achieve the results I wanted, but I gave my best and have no regrets."

Lin wrapped up the Games on February 21 (Korea time) competing as part of the Chinese team in the men's 5,000m relay Final B at the Ice Skating Arena in Milan, Italy.

He was eliminated in the quarterfinals of the men's 1,000m and 1,500m events, and failed to advance past the quarterfinals in the 500m, leaving him without an individual medal.

In the mixed team relay, he competed only in the quarterfinals while his team finished fourth in the final, missing the podium. In the men's 5,000m relay, he skated in the semifinals but the team failed to reach the final, leaving him to depart Milan empty-handed.

In June 2019, Lin was embroiled in an incident during national team training that resulted in a one-year suspension from the Korea Skating Union, after which he abruptly naturalized to China.

At the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics, Lin won one gold and one bronze medal for South Korea. Despite returning to the Olympic stage after eight years, he failed to secure the individual medal he had hoped for.

Speaking in the mixed zone after completing his events, Lin said, "This was my second Olympics, eight years after PyeongChang. A lot has happened during those eight years."

"There were moments when I was exhausted, drained, and wanted to give up, but short track has been my entire life," he said. "So I just shut my ears, closed my eyes, found what I could do, and ran as hard as I could with the mindset of giving my best."

"I didn't achieve the results I wanted at this competition, but my mother always says, 'Results matter, but what's more important is this journey you've taken without giving up.' I took those words to heart and gave my best. I have no regrets," he emphasized.

"I'm not a celebrity or anyone special. I just want to go back to my place as an athlete who gives his best every day and keep running with joy," Lin added. Regarding his medal-less finish, he explained, "It would be nice if things went as I planned, but short track has many variables by nature and requires luck. So I have no regrets."

Asked about his feelings competing at the Olympics after eight years, he smiled and said, "Maybe because I've done it before, it felt the same as any other competition." Regarding past incidents, he said, "I was young back then. After competing for so long, I think I've become stronger. That's all in the past, and I don't think about it anymore. Now that this competition is over, I plan to set new goals and prepare."

On his future plans, Lin said, "I'm quite tired right now, so I want to rest and study for a while. If I improve and manage myself well, another Olympics might be possible."