Beijing, China, February 8, 2022: Korea finally found a medal on the fourth day of the Winter Olympics when Kim Min-seok won speed skating bronze in the men’s 1,500 metres on Tuesday evening.
Kim, 22, clocked 1 minute 44.24 seconds to finish third behind the Dutch duo of Kjeld Nuis, who defended his gold medal from PyeongChang 2018 with a new Olympic record time of 1:43.21, and Thomas Krol, who took silver in 1:43.55.
The Korean flyer had won the bronze medal in the same race at PyeongChang four years ago, as well as a silver in the men’s team pursuit over eight laps.
Kim is now the first Asian speed skater to win two Olympic medals in the men's 1,500m – but he was not getting carried away by his achievement at the National Speed Skating Oval, the only new venue in Beijing and known as the Ice Ribbon.
"I don't really give myself props for a job well done," Kim told Yonhap News. "I'd tell myself, 'Hey, the bronze medal is good, but let's do better next time.' I'd like to become an Olympic champion someday."
In particular, Kim said he ultimately wanted to topple Dutch skaters, who have long reigned supreme in speed skating.
"I just have to keep trying," Kim said. "I am disappointed that I didn't get past the Dutch skaters this time, and I think this will be the fuel I need for the rest of my career."
Kim had the tough draw of skating alongside Nuis, but he said he was able to keep the focus on himself.
"Just because the skater next to me was ahead of me, that doesn't mean I have to give in or lose steam," Kim said. "As an Olympic athlete, it's something I have to overcome. I stuck to my race and was able to finish well."