South Korea Ends Winter Olympics Without Speed Skating Medal for First Time in 24 Years

Jeong Jae-won, South Korea's last hope in speed skating, failed to reach the podium and concluded the Games in disappointment.

Jeong finished fifth in the men's mass start final at the Milano Speed Skating Stadium on Feb. 21, clocking 8 minutes 4.60 seconds.

The 24-year-old, who competes for Gangwon Provincial Office, had sought a third consecutive Olympic medal following his silver in team pursuit at the 2018 PyeongChang Games and silver in mass start at the 2022 Beijing Games.

Jorrit Bergsma of the Netherlands took gold in 7:55.50, while Viktor Hald Thorup of Denmark claimed silver in 8:00.52.

Jeong had raised expectations by advancing through the first semifinal heat in third place with 21 sprint points.

In the final, however, he struggled to counter his rivals' tactics and fell short of medal contention.

The Korean skater conserved energy at the back of the pack early in the race, planning to make his move in the closing stages.

Bergsma and Thorup accelerated with 14 laps remaining, and Jeong could not mount an effective chase.

He pushed for bronze until the end but crossed the line fifth. Andrea Giovannini of Italy secured bronze in 8:04.42.

Cho Seung-min, also competing in the event, was eliminated after finishing 13th in the second semifinal heat.

In the women's mass start, the final medal event, Park Ji-woo of Gangwon Provincial Office placed 14th.

South Korea's speed skating team thus concluded the Games without a medal—the first time in 24 years since the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics.