Lee Na-hyun, a promising 21-year-old speed skater from South Korea, finished in the top ten of the Women's 500m event at the 2026 Winter Olympics held in Milan. Competing on February 16, 2024, Lee clocked a time of 37.86 seconds, earning her a respectable 10th place after a competitive race. Despite starting strong with a solid 100m split of 10.47 seconds, she struggled in the final curve, ultimately crossing the finish line behind Poland's Natalia Czerwonka. This performance builds on her previous accomplishment of achieving the highest-ever ranking for a Korean female skater in the 1000m event, where she finished 9th earlier in the competition.

Lee Na-hyun's rise in the sport has been notable, particularly this season, where she set a junior world record in the Women's 500m with a time of 37.43 seconds. Her performances in various international competitions, including her participation in the 2025 Harbin Winter Asian Games where she secured a total of four medals (two gold, one silver, and one bronze), have increased expectations for her future. Although she entered the Olympics with high hopes, this race marks a significant step on her Olympic journey, paving the way for greater success in the future.

In contrast, fellow South Korean skater Kim Min-sun, competing in her third Olympics, fell short of a podium finish, placing 14th with a time of 38.01 seconds. After starting the race in a challenging position with an initial split of 10.61 seconds, she managed to improve her speed towards the end but could not catch up enough to contend for a medal. Kim previously placed 16th in the 2018 PyeongChang Games and 7th in 2022 Beijing, making her performance in Milan disappointing as she aimed for her first Olympic medal this time around. The gold medal in the event was won by Femke Kok of the Netherlands, who set an Olympic record with a time of 36.49 seconds, showcasing the high level of competition present at this international event.