South Korean speed skaters are hoping an intense training camp in Italy will lead to medals at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. Veterans like Chung Jae-won and debutant Cho Seung-min trained rigorously with the junior national team to prepare for the chaotic mass start event. Both express optimism about their improved performances.
MILAN — Even as a veteran of two Winter Olympic Games, speed skater Chung Jae-won had never endured a more grueling training camp than the two-week session at the end of January, held in preparation for the Milan-Cortina Olympics in northern Italy.
"I will remember the two-week camp at the end of January for a long time. It was more intense than anything I'd experienced," Chung told reporters after a training session at Milano Speed Skating Stadium on Tuesday. "But the results after that camp have been outstanding. I've improved in every area."
At 24, Chung will compete in the men's mass start for the third straight Olympics, a 16-lap pack race requiring careful strategies and timed speed bursts. He won silver in the event at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics and aims for gold. To prepare, he trained with fellow mass start competitor Cho Seung-min, an 18-year-old making his Olympic debut, alongside the junior national team.
"I decided we would fall behind mass start trends if we stuck to just conserving energy and kicking into a higher gear over the final lap," Chung said. "So we devised plans to skate with the junior national team members and train like we were skating in actual competitions."
Cho described it as the most demanding camp of his career but expressed joy at skating with his idol, Chung. At the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Games, Chung helped secure silver in the men's team pursuit, emerging as a new face in South Korean speed skating. Later that year, Cho, then an elementary school short tracker, met Chung for a photo opportunity.
Cho switched to long track after entering middle school and will now share the Olympic ice with him. "He's been my role model since I was little, and it's an honor to be able to compete at the same Olympics with him," Cho said of Chung.
"I honestly don't remember much about that day," Chung said with a laugh. "But when I found out later that kid was Seung-min, it was pretty amazing. That little guy in the picture is now old enough to be my teammate. It reminds me I am no longer just a kid, and I have to be a responsible leader."
With a stronger track record, Chung carries higher expectations. "Since I've won silver medals at two straight Olympic Games, I'd really love to win a gold medal this time," he said.
Cho added: "I will try not to get too nervous at my first Olympics and will try to enjoy the experience."
The camp has boosted their confidence ahead of the Games.
