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Kim Hyo-jin, a 30-year-old South Korean-born Australian athlete who is part of the women’s short track speed skating national team, faces the possibility of losing her hard-earned spot for the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics due to the rejection of her citizenship application.

Kim Hyo-jin recently spoke out on social media, saying, “As the sole female international short track skater in Australia, I am an immigrant who has invested many years in this country. During the 2025 World Tour, I earned my spot in the Olympic 1000m event through intense competition. However, following the approval of my permanent residency in Australia last July and submitting my citizenship application in September, I was informed on the 15th of last month that my application had been rejected.”

He stated, “Australia does not have training facilities that meet international standards, which compels athletes to train and live overseas,” and then added, “By the 16th of this month, Australia needs to determine whether to accept or decline the remaining qualification spots with the International Skating Union, ISU. Time is limited; I hope those responsible for granting citizenship recognize my sincere request.”

Kim Hyo-jin, once a talented South Korean short track speed skater, completed her studies at Sungshin Women’s University and relocated to Australia in 2019. Despite possessing the abilities to be included on the South Korean national team’s reserve list, she reportedly had a strong ambition to compete internationally. As a result, she began representing Australia under a student visa and secured her spot in the women’s 1000m event at the upcoming Milan Cortina Olympics after participating in four World Tour events during the 2025 season. However, due to Olympic rules that require an athlete’s nationality and the country they represent to match, her failure to acquire citizenship this time has put her Olympic qualification in jeopardy.

Kim Hyo-jin said, “To show my genuine commitment, I will stop my international training and go back to Australia. I hope they see my strong wish to represent the country both as an athlete and as an Australian citizen,” and she also mentioned, “Even if I can’t compete in the Olympics because of ongoing citizenship problems, I hope my story gets some recognition. I want to highlight what is truly necessary to obtain an Olympic qualification.”