'Lamborghilli' Kim Gil-li (22, Seongnam City Hall) received a congratulatory message from President Lee Jae-myung for her dramatic bronze medal.
Kim Gil-li won the bronze medal in the women's 1,000 meters short track final at the 2026 Milan–Cortina d'Ampezzo Winter Olympics at the Milan Ice Skating Arena in Italy on the 16th with a time of 1:28.614.
Zandra Velzebur (Netherlands) took the gold with a time of 1:28.437. The silver medal went to Courtney Sarault (Canada) with a time of 1:28.523. She was only a few centimeters ahead of third-place Kim Gil-li.
It was a dramatic bronze. Kim Gil-li, who had a slow start, began in last place, fifth. With three laps to go she rose to third. Kim Gil-li, who at one point surged to the lead, was pushed back to third.
In the final stretch Kim Gil-li put her blade out trying for a last-moment reversal but sadly finished third. Kim Gil-li, who won her first individual Olympic medal, showed tears as many emotions crossed her. Senior Choi Min-jeong congratulated Kim Gil-li on her medal.
Standing in the mixed zone after the race, Kim Gil-li wiped away tears and said, "I'm so happy to have won my first medal. There were many collisions on the way to the final (tears). There were many twists and turns. My goal coming into the final was, 'let's race without regret.' I'm really happy because I think I raced without regret."
President Lee Jae-myung, who watched Kim Gil-li's race, praised her, saying, "Kim Gil-li, nicknamed 'Lamborghilli' for her tireless stamina and explosive acceleration, showed seasoned race management that is hard to believe for a first-time Olympian."
President Lee added, "I hope today's valuable achievement will be a starting point for a greater leap. I will cheer for you to continue to run proudly and powerfully, fitting your nickname, in every challenge you face going forward," giving encouragement to Kim Gil-li.
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