“I was really grateful and had a lot of fun participating in the competition before, but this time, I felt that a little more deeply.”
Korean figure skating star Lee Hae-in (19, Korea University), who recently had to spend time self-reflecting amid excessive speculation, has regained her laughter. Lee’s jumps and skating performances in a joint training session with promising figure skaters on Thursday were light and cheerful enough to cover up the gap.
Lee Hae-in stood in front of reporters after conducting public media training at the Zenith Sports Club Ice Rink in Guro-gu, Seoul. He was a strong senior member of the national team during the conversation with his younger juniors, but Lee Hae-in, who was left alone after the juniors left, could not let go of his hands throughout the press conference as if he were a little nervous.
Still, his expression was bright all the time, and his voice was not trembling. Lee Hae-in, who was given a three-year suspension by the Korean Skating Union in May for controversy over drinking and inappropriate contact with underage male juniors during an off-season training in Italy, returned as a player following the court’s decision to suspend the effect of disciplinary action last month.
He then won a ticket to the 2025 International Skating Union (ISU) Four Continents Championships with the national flag again through the domestic ranking match held on the 1st, which also served as the first selection match for the 2025-26 national team. 토토사이트
During the 11-minute conference, Lee repeated his gratitude 13 times. He said, “It is overwhelming to be able to overcome the risk of being forced out of office and stand on the ice again.”
Lee Hae-in repeatedly mentioned his fans who believed in him and supported him as the most grateful person to have endured the hard time. He said, “If the fans hadn’t helped me, I could have collapsed so much, but even if you’re tired of saying thank you (for holding me), I want to keep saying that.”
He has been recovering from the pain in his heart, and is rejuvenating his old skills. “I have the general championship in January next year. I will prepare hard and show good performance,” he said. “I will do what I can while looking at the Olympics.”
