China’s leading short track speed skater Lin Xiaojun has emerged as the country’s top hope for a breakthrough at the ongoing Winter Olympics, where the team has secured three short track medals and two long-track medals so far without a single gold.
Lin Xiaojun’s Rise and Challenges
Lin Xiaojun, originally from South Korea under the name Im Hyo-jun, brings a compelling backstory to the ice. In the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics, he claimed gold in the men’s 1500m and silver in the 500m representing South Korea. However, a doping violation in June 2019 led to a one-year suspension following the PyeongChang scandal.
Post-ban, Lin transitioned to China ahead of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, where he continued to deliver strong performances. He earned reserve spots in ISU World Cup events during the 2022-2023 season and secured three overall titles in the 2023-2024 season despite competing as a seeded athlete.
Shifting Attitudes from Chinese Fans
Chinese netizens initially targeted Lin with harsh comments like “Go back to Korea” and “Take your arrogance with you,” fueled by his Korean roots and doping history. Tensions peaked as China struggled in events such as the men’s 1000m, where a skater was disqualified, leaving just one medal opportunity.
Yet, attitudes shifted dramatically after Lin’s silver medal in the men’s 500m. Fans now celebrate him as “our superstar,” with widespread thumbs-up reactions online. Chinese media echoed this, declaring Lin “clearly our superstar” while cautioning that an eighth-place finish would invite backlash.
Olympic Context and Future Events
China’s short track campaign has seen mixed results, with disqualifications hindering progress despite past Olympic dominance. Lin, a medal threat in the men’s 500m, 1000m, and 1500m, faced setbacks in qualifying rounds for the latter two and a semifinal slip in the 5000m relay.
His recent dominance includes overall gold in the men’s 500m at the World Championships and Asian Games. Despite an IOC charter rule limiting athletes who dominate national Olympic quotas—requiring a three-year hiatus post-event—Lin has persevered, fueling national motivation.
