(Olympics) Emerging speed skater ready to enjoy Olympic debut

MILAN, Feb. 3 (Yonhap) -- Speed skater Lee Na-hyun doesn't want to get caught up in the hype surrounding her as she nears her Winter Olympic Games debut later this month in northern Italy.

Instead, Lee, 20, just wants to have fun.

"I don't think I am good enough to be considered a surefire medal contender," Lee told reporters after her first training session at Milano Speed Skating Stadium in Milan on Tuesday. "Rather than trying to win a medal necessarily, I will try not to get too nervous and to show everything I have instead. Then I think good results will follow."

Lee is the rising star in the women's 500 meters. In January 2024, Lee set the world junior record with a time of 37.34 seconds and has clocked better times than that on three occasions in the 2025-2026 season, her first as a senior.

She has given Kim Min-sun, regarded as South Korea's top sprinter for years, a run for her money this season. Lee finished just behind Kim to take the silver medal at the 2025 Asian Winter Games in Harbin, China, and then held off Kim for the title in the 100m. Though the 100m is not an Olympic sport, Lee still managed to demonstrate her explosive start that can serve her well in the 500m.

In Milan, Lee will also compete in the 1,000m. It will be her first event here next Monday, with the 500m coming up on Feb. 14.

"I will start things off in the 1,000m, and I've been working really hard for that race," Lee said. "If I put up a good time there, then it will have a positive influence on my 500m."

In her first training session here, Lee said she wanted to feel the ice and get settled while working on her start.

"Right now, I think I am at about 60 to 70 percent," Lee said when asked about her physical readiness. "And I should reach 100 percent pretty quickly with some training. Once I take care of that end, skating will improve as well."

jeeho@yna.co.kr
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