President Li "Applause for Choi Ga-on's fighting spirit, deeply touched not only by the people but also by the whole world." [Milan Olympics]

*This content was translated by AI.

President Lee Jae-myung sent a congratulatory message to Choi Ga-on (Sehwa Girls' High School), who won the first gold medal in the women's snowboard halfpipe at the 2026 Milan/Cortina D'Ampezzo (Italy) Winter Olympics, saying, "I applaud the fighting spirit of writing a new history of snowboarding in Korea."

President Lee said on Facebook on the 13th, "I sincerely congratulate Choi Ga-on on winning the gold medal," adding, "The appearance of Choi Ga-on, who did not fluctuate despite the disappointment in the first and second periods and finally won the gold medal in the third period, exceeded 90 points of his dream, deeply moved the Korean people as well as the world."

In the final round of the women's snowboard halfpipe at the Lvigno Snowpark in Italy, Choi Ga-on scored 90.25 points, beating Chloe Kim of the U.S., who was trying to win her third consecutive Olympic title. The Korean team's first gold medal at this year's event, the first gold medal in Korean snow sports, and the youngest ever snowboard champion (17 years and 101 days) have repeatedly written a new history.

In particular, Choi Ga-on was impressed by winning the gold medal without giving up even after the ambulance was deployed in the first period and once fell so big that the "Gikwon" was displayed on the official website. Major foreign media such as the United States and Japan also shed light on Choi Ga-on's "gold medal of fighting spirit."

President Lee Jae-myung said, "Our snowboard has gradually expanded its scope from Alpine to freestyle and halfpipe, starting with the first Olympic medal in 2018. "This achievement shows that South Korea is on par with the world's top in the iconic freestyle event of halfpipe," he said, adding, "The (Choi Ga-on's) determination to become a player beyond himself makes us look forward to future growth."

President Lee Jae-myung also said, "The bronze medal of Lim Jong-eon is also very meaningful to Lim Jong-eon (19, Goyang City Hall), who won the men's 1,000m bronze medal in short track. I congratulate you from the bottom of my heart," he said. Im Jong-eon won the bronze medal with a time of 1:24.611 in the men's 1,000m short track at the Milan Ice Skating Arena in Italy. It is the first short track medal of the competition.

"The men's 1,000m short track is a symbolic event that has led South Korea to an 'absolute power' for a long time," President Lee said. "The achievement of Lim Jong-eon, who has been attracting attention as a teenage rookie selected by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), proved that the power and tradition of Korean short track continue firmly even amid a generational change."

President Lee Jae-myung then said, "The future of the Republic of Korea is really bright," adding, "I will continue to support the future of the two new athletes who have achieved valuable results on the first Olympic stage in their lives." In addition, I would like to express my strong encouragement to all the players who will play in the future," he added.

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*This content was translated by AI.