In the electrifying ice rink of Milan, South Korea’s Choi Min-jeong confronts Italy’s Arianna Fontana head-on in the women’s 1000m short track speed skating event at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. The pair shares Heat 1 in the round of 32, as announced by organizers on February 15 (KST). Joining them are formidable competitors Kim Boutang of Canada, Chiara Betti of Italy, and Gabriela Topolska of Poland, creating an intense lineup from the start.
Choi Min-jeong’s Medal Quest
Choi Min-jeong enters as a proven powerhouse, boasting three gold medals and two silvers from the Pyeongchang and Beijing Games. Securing another gold here would tie the South Korean record for most Winter Olympic golds at four. Adding two more medals would surpass the national tally of six held by Jin Jong-oh, Kim Soo-nyung, and Lee Seung-hoon.
Her momentum surges after dominating the women’s 3000m relay semifinals, where she orchestrated two dramatic reversals through precise timing, corner entries, and explosive final straights. Choi’s races remain a benchmark of excellence.
Arianna Fontana’s Veteran Prowess
Arianna Fontana, a short track icon since the 2006 Torino Olympics, recently claimed gold in the mixed team 2000m relay and silver in the women’s 500m, pushing her Olympic medal count to 13—three golds, five silvers, and five bronzes. Skating on home ice with roaring crowds, her instincts show no signs of fading.
Men’s Events Heat Up
The women’s 1000m unfolds entirely on the same day, with quarterfinals and finals deciding fates in hours. Men’s 1000m bronze medalist Im Jong-eun faces Lin Xiaojun of China in expected Heat 8—a matchup against his role model.
Men’s 1500m silver medalist Hwang Dae-heon competes in the men’s 500m expected Heat 5 against Sun Long (China), Maxime Laoun (Canada), and Brendan Corey (Australia). The 500m medal event concludes on February 19.
In the men’s 5000m relay quarterfinals, teams from the Netherlands, Italy, and Belgium present stiff challenges across four heats with 20 skaters total. Top two from each heat advance, plus the two fastest third-placers.
Short track races demand flawless execution amid body checks, position battles, and split-second errors—no exceptions, even for legends.
