The members of the Korean short track speed skating team agreed that they would overcome the "narrow track" problem at the 2025 Harbin Asian Winter Games with their strength. On the 5th, the athletes of the Korean short track speed skating team finished their official training at the Heilongjiang Provincial Ice Training Center in Harbin, the competition venue, and were determined to achieve the best results regardless of the problems on the field.

Athletes from the Korean short track speed skating team gather before the start of their official training session at the Heilongjiang Provincial Ice Training Center

Lee Jung-so, captain of the South Korean short track speed skating team, who was interviewed by South Korean reporters, said about the track: "Although it is narrow, it is a common condition that all teams will experience, and we will overcome it." He also stressed: "No one cares whether it is beneficial or not. On the contrary, it will be considered beneficial for Korean players with good technical ability to participate. ”

Zhang Chengyu, who participated in the individual competition, said disapprerovingly: "You may encounter difficulties, but you can be more careful when competing." As the ace of the Korean men's short track speed skating team, Park Ji-won's specialty is to surpass the outside world, saying: "Everyone is facing the same conditions. If you play wisely and deal with it properly, there's no problem for me. ”

South Korean media said that the Heilongjiang Provincial Ice Training Center Complex, where the Harbin Asian Winter Games short track speed skating competition is held, is smaller than other venues that host international competitions. In particular, the straight-line track is narrow, which restricts the smooth progress of the race. It is reported that several national (regional) sports teams that have been conducting local adaptation training since the 3rd have given feedback to the organizing committee of the competition.

Athletes from the Korean short track speed skating team pose in a V-shape with their hands to the camera during an official training session held at the Heilongjiang Provincial Ice Training Center

A source from the Korean ice and snow industry said, "The International Skating Union (ISU) stipulates that the international short track speed skating venues are 60 meters long and 30 meters wide, and most international venues are frozen and fenced in a wider range than that. But there doesn't seem to be a major link freeze in Harbin. ”

It is reported that the South Korean short track speed skating team took temporary measures on the spot after raising questions about the narrow track. A national team official said: "It is said that last night's protective fence was moved back a little, probably a handful. "Such measures are not actually enough.

On the afternoon of the 5th, the South Korean short track speed skating team conducted relay training in the official training held in the comprehensive hall of the Heilongjiang Ice Training Center

Captain Lee Jung-so also said, "I didn't feel the change. He believes that the narrow track is not good for the Korean team, which is good at overtaking on the outside road. Because Korean athletes with good physical strength tend to show their superiority in the second half of the race, if the track is narrow, it is easy to stop players who want to force their way through the outside lane. If you go deep into the inner lane, you may come into contact with a competitor, and depending on the referee's decision, you will get an unfavorable result. Lee Jung-so also said that the Korean team will not get involved in issues related to the competition venues, and will erase the narrow track problem from their minds and prepare for the competition as usual.