Milan: 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.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Lee expressed her mindset to reporters after her first training session at Milano Speed Skating Stadium on Tuesday. "I don't think I am good enough to be considered a surefire medal contender," she said. "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, she set the world junior record with a time of 37.34 seconds and has clocked better times than that on three occasions during the 2025-2026 season, her first as a senior. This season, she has given Kim Min-sun, regarded as South Korea's top sprinter for years, a run for her money. 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, which 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."

During her first training session, Lee mentioned her focus on feeling the ice and getting 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."