Milan: South Korean short track speed skating legend Choi Min-jeong bid farewell to the Winter Olympics on Friday night in Italy, moments after becoming the country's most decorated Olympian. Choi earned her seventh career medal with a silver behind teammate Kim Gil-li in the women's 1,500 meters at Milano Ice Skating Arena in Milan.

According to Yonhap News Agency, although Choi came up just shy of becoming the first short tracker ever to win three straight gold medals in the same individual race, she set the record for the most Olympic medals by a South Korean athlete. Moments after the medal ceremony, Choi, 27, announced she would end her illustrious Olympic career. "I feel so relieved because I had such a great race. But at the same time, I am getting emotional, thinking this was my last Olympics," Choi said, fighting back tears. She added that while preparing for this season, she faced mental and physical struggles, and always thought this would be her last Olympics.

Choi explained that there wasn't any particular moment that compelled her to retire. "It just came naturally," she said, mentioning the physical challenges she faced this season. Despite this, she felt she achieved everything she could and expressed no regrets. Choi's Olympic journey began with two gold medals at PyeongChang 2018 and continued with three more medals, including one gold, in Beijing. She wrapped up her Olympic career with a 3,000m relay gold and a 1,500m silver in Milan.

Reflecting on her achievements, Choi expressed gratitude towards those who supported her and marveled at her own accomplishments. She also showed sportsmanship after being bested by her younger teammate Kim, embracing her and offering congratulations. Kim, who admires Choi greatly, was emotional upon learning of Choi's retirement. Choi expressed pride in Kim's victory and confidence in the future of Korean short track with Kim leading the way.

Choi identified her record-setting achievement as the most memorable moment of her career. She hoped to be remembered as someone who demonstrated the strength of Korean short track skating.