Haein Lee: “The Olympics are called the stage of dreams by many athletes, so it’s not an easy place. I hope we can all perform without regrets.”
Haein Lee, after a dramatic comeback at the national selection, expressed deep gratitude and emotion upon earning her first Olympic spot.
original source: Yonhap News dd. 6th January 2026
Haein Lee shared her gratitude and reflections after earning her first Olympic spot, describing her emotional journey, training mindset, and hopes to deliver a confident, complete performance on the world stage. Here’s a translation of her comments.
“Q: How do you feel about competing at the Olympics?
Haein Lee: I’m truly grateful to be able to stand on such a big stage. I never imagined I would go to the Olympics, so I’m even happier. Competing at the Olympics isn’t just about the result – it’s a chance to confirm the process I’ve prepared for. As a representative of Korea, it’s more important to show a good performance with a sense of responsibility.
Q: After the selection event, you couldn’t get up for a long time and cried—how did you feel at that moment?
Haein Lee: There have been many tough times, but through those experiences, I learned how to keep my own pace. I was able to focus more on what I can and should do. It wasn’t perfect, but I felt so relieved that I finished my program to the end. I was very nervous, and when I remembered people shouting “Haein, fighting!” right before my skate, I was moved to tears.
Q: What mindset did you have during training?
Haein Lee: Since no one knows who will stand on the Olympic stage, I just focused on preparing my best. The Olympics aren’t everything in life – there are many more competitions – so I worked hard on what I could do.
You can’t go to the Olympics just because you want it badly. Nothing in the world is guaranteed. Now, I’ll work to show an even more perfect performance to everyone on the Olympic stage.
Q: With the Olympics just a month away, how are you preparing?
Haein Lee: I listen to my program music every day and think a lot. I’m discovering details in the music I hadn’t noticed before, and I’m working on how to become one with my program.
Q: What did you imagine the Olympic stage would be like?
Haein Lee: Honestly, I never even imagined it. The Olympics are called the stage of dreams by many athletes, so it’s not an easy place. It’s an honor to compete there with teammates who have worked hard together, and I hope we can all perform without regrets.
Q: Are there any skills or performances you want to prepare more for the Olympics?
Haein Lee: My goal is to show a highly complete program. I want to show the maturity of a senior athlete. I prepared hard for every competition this season, but I think I lacked a bit of confidence. I’ll raise my confidence and show everything I’ve focused on and studied during my preparation.
Q: You’ve been through tough times – what kept you going without giving up?
Haein Lee: I still find figure skating so fun and comforting. Whether I’m warming up in the studio or gliding on the ice, thinking about how I can improve makes me happy. I hope I can skate for a long time without getting hurt.
Also, I’m very grateful to everyone who told me, “You’ll be able to show your wonderful self again.” I kept those words in my heart and worked even harder.
Q: How did you manage your mental health?
Haein Lee: There were many things I didn’t know about myself. I tried to find what brought me joy. I spent a lot of time listening to music I love, writing, or drawing to clear my mind.
I think figure skating is like writing a book for me. I’m excited to see what stories will unfold. Receiving love from fans is never something to take for granted or lightly. I always accept it with gratitude and will continue to enjoy every moment with figure skating.
Q: Did you have any personal mantra during the national team selection?
Haein Lee: Rather than thinking “Let’s be perfect,” I wanted to show how hard I’ve worked through my training up to now.
After the selection, I said in an interview, “No happiness lasts forever, and no misfortune lasts forever.” Misfortune can come to anyone, and overcoming such difficulties is part of life.
Q: What message do you want to give yourself ahead of the Olympics?
Haein Lee: The words that come to mind are, “Thank you for not giving up.” Even if I don’t get good results in future competitions, I hope I never lose my passion for studying skating and keep working hard.
Q: What kind of atmosphere do you imagine after your final Olympic performance?
Haein Lee: I think I’ll be very nervous with so many fans in the arena. I hope that when I overcome great nerves and show my best, many people will shed tears of happiness and applaud.
Every athlete competing at the Olympics has a dream. I hope everyone will look closely at those dreams and continue to support us warmly until the end.”
Related topics: Haein Lee, Olympic Games
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