Milan: Short track speed skater Kim Gil-li, the only South Korean athlete to clinch multiple gold medals at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, has been voted the nation's Most Valuable Player (MVP) at the competition.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the Korean Sport and Olympic Committee (KSOC) announced that Kim was selected as the MVP by South Korean journalists covering the Winter Olympics in northern Italy. The quadrennial event, which showcased athletes from around the world, is set to conclude with a closing ceremony on Sunday evening.

Kim's remarkable performance saw her securing gold medals in the women's 1,500 meters and 3,000-meter relay events, along with a bronze in the 1,000 meters. She achieved the distinction of being the first South Korean short tracker in 12 years to win at least three medals in her Olympic debut.

Expressing her gratitude, Kim said at a press conference held at Korea House in Milan, "I had no idea an award like this even existed. I feel like I've been rewarded for my hard work. I just focused on giving my best in each and every race. This is just the beginning for me and I will try to keep getting better."

The KSOC has a tradition of presenting the MVP award to outstanding athletes at multisport competitions, a practice that began with the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games.