Korean national athletes returned home on February 25 upon the conclusion of the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympic Games. The 71 athletes arrived at Incheon International Airport and received their chocolate "National Happiness Gold Medal" from the Korean Olympic Committee.

Korean athletes won three gold, three silver, and two bronze medals, to place in the top 13 in the overall medal rankings. Lee Sang-hwa won her second gold in ladies’ 500-meter speed skating in Sochi, following her previous gold in the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. Park Seung-hi won gold in the ladies’ 1,000-meter short track and bronze in the ladies’ 500-meter short track. The ladies’ short track team—composed of Shim Suk-hee, Kim Alang, Park Seung-hi, Cho Ha-ri and Kong Sangjeong—won a gold medal in the 3,000-meter relay.

Figure skater Kim Yuna, gold medalist in Vancouver, won silver in Sochi, in the ladies’ singles figure skating final and retired after the Sochi games. Lee Seung-hoon, Joo Hyong-jun and Kim Cheol-min won silver in the men’s team speed skating pursuit finals.

During the press conference, Kim Yuna said, “I am happy with my results and I think it was very successful because there were no mistakes. I believe I showed everyone what I can accomplish through hard work. I appreciate that many people highly valued my performances.”

The ladies’ short track team was also at the press conference. When asked about her hopes for the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics four years from now, Park Seung-hi said that she will do all she can to participate in the games. “I will play the role of big sister in Pyeongchang and repay the fans with even better results,” she added. Shim Suk-hee said that the Sochi games were a good experience for her. “I will train more and become more experienced over the next four years to give an even better performance in Pyeongchang,” said Shim.

By Yoon Sojung
Korea.net Staff Writer
arete@korea.kr