Iida Karhunen, a 17-year-old figure skater from Finland, captured the spotlight at her Olympic debut, finishing 16th in the women's singles competition of the Olympics. She achieved a personal best score during her performance, earning 127.73 points in the free program and a total of 192.79 points overall. This performance marked a significant moment in her young athletic career as she navigated the pressures of competing at such a prestigious international event.

After completing her free skate program on Thursday, Karhunen expressed a sense of satisfaction and relief, stating, "The atmosphere is really good. I am pleased with the overall performance; I managed to execute two solid routines, which was my goal." Her coach, Marina Shirshova, praised Iida's technical strength and competitiveness, highlighting the positive outcome of their dedication to training. This supportive environment, both from her coach and the sentiment expressed by fans, contributed to her excellent performance.

Despite it being her first season competing in the senior category, Karhunen showed resilience in facing the intense Olympic nerves, especially before her free program. She reflected on her performance, acknowledging minor mistakes, such as a less-than-perfect landing on an axel jump, but remained upbeat about her overall effort. This experience not only elevates her stature in the world of figure skating but also sets a promising foundation for her future endeavors in the sport.