Kim Bo-reum "I am Happier Now Receiving Support Than When I Won a Medal" [Olympics]

5th Place in Women's Speed Skating Mass Start
"I Wondered What If No One Cheers for Me"
Some Pain and Wounds Have Healed, "Now Only Bright Smiles"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

"As I was back in the spotlight, I wondered, 'What if no one cheers for me?' Every word of support gave me strength." This was the sentiment of Kim Bo-reum (Gangwon Province Office), who finished 5th in the women's mass start speed skating at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. On the 19th, at the National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing, China, she earned 6 sprint points (8 minutes 16.81 seconds) in the final. She crossed the finish line ahead of Val?rie Maltais (Canada, 8 minutes 20.46 seconds), who also scored 6 points, securing 5th place.

Although she failed to win a medal, Kim Bo-reum somewhat shook off the nightmare from four years ago. At the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, she faced national criticism over allegations that she had left behind her teammate Noh Seon-yeong during the team pursuit event. The controversy arose because she and another teammate, Park Ji-woo (Gangwon Province Office), crossed the finish line far ahead of Noh Seon-yeong. Branded as a perpetrator of exclusionary skating, she bowed her head despite winning a silver medal in the mass start. The incident escalated into a major controversy, even reaching a petition at the Blue House. Kim Bo-reum filed a damages lawsuit against Noh Seon-yeong and recently won partial victory. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's audit reaffirmed that there was no 'exclusionary skating,' freeing her from the stigma of being a perpetrator that had been unfairly imposed.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Kim Bo-reum said, "Many things have happened over the past four years. I am so grateful to be able to compete today with the support of so many people." She added, "Although I didn't win a medal, I did my best and achieved a good result." Regarding the race, she expressed some regret, saying, "I planned to stay near the front from the middle of the race, but I think I rushed a bit. I felt physically burdened at the end." However, she soon smiled and said, "I really worked hard and have no regrets about the process. I think today's result is fortunate because I did my best given the circumstances."

Kim Bo-reum described the past four years as "a period during which the pain and wounds somewhat healed." She said, "I think I am happier now, feeling the support, than when I won a medal," and vowed, "Now, I want to show a bright smile." Referring to the 2026 Milan-Cortina d'Ampezzo Winter Olympics, she said, "If I gather my resolve from now on, I believe I can accomplish anything."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.