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Feb 17, 2014

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Shim Suk-hee, silver medalist in the ladies’ 1,500-meter short track at the Sochi Winter Olympics, smiles as she waves to the crowd during the medal ceremony at the Sochi Medals Plaza on February 15 in Sochi, Russia. (photo courtesy of the Korean Olympic Committee)

Shim Suk-hee, silver medalist in the ladies’ 1,500-meter short track at the Sochi Winter Olympics, smiles as she waves to the crowd during the medal ceremony at the Sochi Medals Plaza on February 15 in Sochi, Russia. (photo courtesy of the Korean Olympic Committee)



Shim Suk-hee, the top-ranked skater heading into the ladies’ 1,500-meter final, has won her first Olympic medal when she got silver in the event on February 15 in Sochi, Russia.

The 17-year-old crossed the finish line in the ladies’ 1,500-meter event at the Sochi Iceberg Skating Palace with a lap time of 2 minutes and 19.239 seconds, good enough to give her the silver.

Taking the lead in the sixth lap, Shim headed the race until Zhou Yang of China overtook her with only two laps to go and the race continued in that order with Shim finishing second.

Despite the cheers from the Korean national team’s head coach, Choi Kwang-bok, Shim hung her head low after the race and couldn’t hide her disappointment.

Short track speed skater Shim Suk-hee presses on during the ladies’ 1,500-meter race at the Sochi Olympics on February 15. (photo courtesy of the Korean Olympic Committee)

Short track speed skater Shim Suk-hee presses on during the ladies’ 1,500-meter race at the Sochi Olympics on February 15. (photo courtesy of the Korean Olympic Committee)



“The reason why I couldn’t rejoice immediately after crossing the finish line was due to my self regret,” said Shim, who had a brighter smile than any other medalist while stepping up on the podium to celebrate her first Olympic medal. Before this year’s winter games, Shim had nine wins at ten World Championships, placing her at the top of world rankings.

“Rather than having regrets [about a gold medal], I’m now content with an invaluable Olympic silver medal,” said Shim. She also added that, “Since the games aren’t over yet, I’ll keep doing my best and concentrate on the remaining races.”

Shim is set to compete in the ladies’ 1,000-meter race and the 3,000-meter relay on February 18, aiming for a second Olympic medal.


By Jeon Han, Paik Hyun
Korea.net Staff Writers
hanjeon@korea.kr

Short track speed skater Shim Suk-hee (front) takes the lead during the ladies’ 1,500-meter race held in the Iceberg Skating Palace in Sochi, Russia, during the Olympic Winter Games 2014. (photo courtesy of the Korean Olympic Committee)

Short track speed skater Shim Suk-hee (front) takes the lead during the ladies’ 1,500-meter race held in the Iceberg Skating Palace in Sochi, Russia, during the Olympic Winter Games 2014. (photo courtesy of the Korean Olympic Committee)



Shim Suk-hee, silver medalist in the ladies’ 1,500-meter short track final at the Sochi Olympic Winter Games 2014, smiles and joins the other medalists in a group photo. Starting from the left, the winners were Korea’s Shim Suk-hee, China’s Zhou Yang (center) and Italy’s Arianna Fontana (right). (photo courtesy of the Korean Olympic Committee)

Shim Suk-hee, silver medalist in the ladies’ 1,500-meter short track final at the Sochi Olympic Winter Games 2014, smiles and joins the other medalists in a group photo. Starting from the left, the winners were Korea’s Shim Suk-hee, China’s Zhou Yang (center) and Italy’s Arianna Fontana (right). (photo courtesy of the Korean Olympic Committee)

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