Milan: With five medals from the past two Winter Olympic Games, South Korean short track speed skater Choi Min-jeong is no stranger to the quadrennial competition. Yet, as she prepares for the upcoming Milan-Cortina Games, the 27-year-old is drawing fresh inspiration from her younger teammates.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Choi, who is helping to mentor rising stars Rim Jong-un, 18, and Kim Gil-li, 21, has found herself learning from them as well. "They've been peppering me with questions, and I've been trying to answer them the best I can," Choi shared after a practice session at Milano Ice Skating Arena. "I am sure they're dealing with some nerves, but they bring so much youthful energy to the ice. I am probably not helping them that much. I am actually learning a great deal from them."

Choi reflected on her own Olympic debut at PyeongChang 2018 and admitted that she was too tense to fully enjoy the experience. "Today, these young athletes take care of business and still find time to enjoy the whole experience. I feel like I should have done a better job of that when I was younger," she said.

Her previous Olympic experiences have provided Choi with valuable perspective, which she now carries into her role as captain of the national team. "In my new role as captain, I've been trying to take a step back and see the big picture," she explained. "And because this is my third Olympics, I definitely feel more comfortable. I want to bank on that experience to do well here."

Choi's familiarity with the Milano Ice Skating Arena, having competed there during an International Skating Union World Tour event, adds to her confidence. Despite differences in food, culture, and time zones in Europe, Choi has adapted well to the environment. "They have great facilities at the athletes' village, and the venue here is really nice, too. So I haven't had problems so far," she noted.