"If you didn't get involved with Hwang Daeheon...' Lin Xiaojun was still the 'Ace of South Korea,' confessing his first feelings in Korea, "I was too young at that time."

*This content was translated by AI.

Lin Xiaojun (29, Korean name Lim Hyo-jun), who turned from a hero of the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics to a Chinese national team, has completed his second Olympic stage. Although he did not win the medal he expected. And for the first time since the end of this Olympic schedule, I stood in front of the reporters.

Lin Xiaojun competed in the men's 5,000-meter relay Final B (ranking match) at the 2026 Milan-Cortina D'Ampezzo Winter Olympics at the Ice Skating Arena in Milan, Italy, on the 21st (Korea time).

Lin Xiaojun, the runner of the Chinese national team, finished first in the group with a time of 6:49.894. China's final ranking is fifth. With this, Lin Xiaojun's schedule for the Milan Olympics is over.

According to News 1, Newsis, after the game, Lin Xiaojun was interviewed by reporters in the mixed zone (joint coverage area). It was the first time that he was interviewed after not speaking much throughout the tournament.

"It was the second Olympics in eight years," Lin Xiaojun said, adding, "Eight years will be a long time for someone and a short time for someone." I've been through a lot. There were many moments when I felt tired and wanted to give up, but in the end, short track was everything in my life. That's why I've been running as hard as I can, looking for what I can with my ears closed and my eyes closed," he recalled of the past years.

Lin Xiaojun showed his fighting spirit at the Milan Olympics by participating in all the men's 500m, 1000m, and 1500m individual events, mixed relay, and men's relay events. As a result, however, he didn't get a medal.

Lin Xiaojun said, "There are a lot of variables in this event, whether it would be nice if the short track went my way. It's an unusual event that you have to follow your luck of the day, he said. "I'm disappointed that I didn't get the grades I wanted, but I don't have any regrets because I did my best. "My mother also told me not to be happy and sad because the process of running without giving up is more important than the result," he said.

Lin Xiaojun was the star of Korean short track eight years ago during the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics. At that time, Lim Hyo-joon, a Korean national, won a gold medal in the men's 1,500m and a bronze in the 500m, respectively, establishing himself as a representative of Korean short track.

However, his career was twisted in 2019 when he was entangled in a scandal with Hwang Dae-heon, his junior in the national team. During training at Jincheon Training Center, a prank pulling Hwang Dae-heon's pants spread to a complaint case. Hwang Dae-heon reported to the federation, saying he felt "sexual shame," and Lin Xiaojun was suspended for one year by the Korea Skating Union. Feeling a crisis in his career, he eventually chose to naturalize in China in 2020. Many arrows of criticism were directed at him.

But a twist happened. He was found not guilty. After going all the way to the Supreme Court, Lin Xiaojun was finally acquitted in the case in June 2021. However, the nationality had already changed to China. Even after the change of nationality, the ordeal continued. The participation in the 2022 Beijing Olympics was thwarted by the "three years since the change of nationality" rule specified in the IOC Charter. In the end, after waiting four more years, Lin Xiaojun was able to take the stage in Milan.

In response to past controversies, Lin Xiaojun has now shown his detached appearance. Lin Xiaojun said, "I was so young then. "I feel like I've become stronger as I've been through a hard time and continue my career," he said, adding, "It's already been a while, and I don't think about it anymore."

Recently in Korea, fans have been sending a friendly voice to Lin Xiaojun. But Lin Xiaojun said, "I'm not a celebrity, I'm not a great person. "I'm just an athlete who does his best every day," he said. "I want to go back to my place and become a fun and hard-working athlete."

Lin Xiaojun is now turning 30. Was this Olympics the last stage. But Lin Xiaojun drew the line. It opened up the possibility of participating in the 2030 French Alps Winter Olympics. He said, "I'm a little tired now, so I want to study and rest for a while. However, I think I can participate in the Olympics again in four years. I will make up for what I lacked in this competition and take good care of it, so I will try again," he said again.

As a result, Lin Xiaojun was found not guilty and proved to be innocent. If Lin Xiaojun had not been entangled in a scandal with Hwang Dae-heon at that time, what would the Korean men's short track team look like now. Korean fans are also giving him a warm round of applause, mentioning the name of Park Ji-won, another ace in short track.

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*This content was translated by AI.