Milan: Rim Jong-un arrived in Milan for his first Winter Olympics at age 18 with expectations of grabbing multiple medals. He did get two medals here at the Milan-Cortina Winter Games, with bronze in the men's 1,000 meters and silver in the men's 5,000m relay. However, the teenager conceded Saturday that he didn't live up to expectations, both from outside and from within.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Rim expressed his feelings at a press conference at Korea House in Milan, grading his Olympic debut a 5 out of 10. "I am disappointed and sorry that I did not live up to expectations. But I am going to use the lessons I learned here to prepare for the next Olympics and I am confident I will perform better then," Rim stated, attributing his performances to nerves.

Despite his self-assessment, Rim shared his satisfaction with ending the competition positively by securing a relay silver medal on Friday, the concluding day of the short track events. He mentioned his desire to celebrate with his teammates and explore Milan post-competition, reflecting on the camaraderie and shared goal of winning a relay medal.

Rim was part of a trio of South Korean male short trackers making their Olympic debuts. Shin Dong-min, nearing his 22nd birthday, echoed Rim's sentiments, expressing both joy for the relay medal, which he deemed "the best birthday present ever," and regret for not achieving more individual success. Shin finished fourth in the men's 1,500m, with his teammate Hwang Dae-heon securing silver.

"I had such a great opportunity at my first Olympics and I am a little bummed out that I didn't capitalize on it," said Shin. He emphasized the invaluable learning experience the Olympics provided, which he believes will enhance his preparations for future competitions.

Lee Jeong-min, who participated solely in the 5,000m relay due to his national team trial results, made a noticeable impact with his dynamic performance. At 24, Lee's efforts in the semifinals and final were commendable, and he expressed hopes of qualifying for individual races in the 2030 Olympics. "I tried not to be afraid of mistakes and tried to stay confident on the ice," Lee commented on his approach to the competition.

Veteran athletes Hwang Dae-heon and Lee June-seo, both earning their second consecutive relay silver medals after their 2022 success, acknowledged their younger teammates' contributions. They highlighted the need for strategic adjustments to remain competitive against international athletes.

Reflecting on the conclusion of the Olympics, Hwang shared his eagerness to experience Italian culture after a month in the athletes' village. "I am so relieved now that all the races are done," he said, expressing a desire to indulge in local cuisine like pizza and pasta.