Eunice Lee: From figure skating in Korea to Team USA speed skating

San Diego-born speed skater Eunice Lee discusses her journey from figure skating in Korea to becoming the youngest member of Team USA's short track speed skating team at the Beijing Olympics. Born in California along with her sister, Eunice's family moved back to Korea where she and her sister started figure skating while her brother pursued speed skating. When the family returned to the US and settled in Bellevue, Washington, their parents decided to consolidate into one sport—speed skating won out.

Early on, Eunice wasn't a huge fan, hating the cold, but over time she discovered her love for going fast. What drew her to short track over long track was the ability to control more variables—strategy, planning, and racing tactics rather than just being the strongest or fastest. She appreciates that short track has more racing and strategic elements compared to the pure speed focus of long track. As primarily a relay member on Team USA, Eunice's main role is skating with other strong women in the relay events, which has been her favorite discipline. Individually, she prefers the 1000-meter race.

Grabbing the fifth and final spot for Beijing as the youngest team member was unexpected for everyone, including herself. It was a huge honor despite the difficulties of joining so suddenly and competing in her first major international competition at the Olympics. After completely sitting out last season for nine months due to chronic injury, Eunice only started skating again in May. Eight months of physical therapy taught her so much about her body—strengths, weaknesses, areas for improvement. While there are still worries surrounding that injury area, the time off helped her understand how her body reacts to different stresses.

Making a second Olympic team would mean everything to Eunice—much more than the first time. Having prepared with the team for multiple seasons and become more integrated into the group, this trials feels more meaningful personally. Training alongside world-class skaters like Kristen Santos and Corinne Stoddard has been incredible—they're two of the best in the world, yet so down to earth and great mentors. Skating with her sister makes the journey even more special, and Eunice is proud of how well her sister has performed. The experience of representing the US, seeing the flag raised on the podium, and hugging teammates after a team pursuit win is what drives her forward.

0:00 - Introduction
0:18 - Short track: Fast-paced and strategic
1:00 - Relay member role on Team USA
1:35 - From figure skating in Korea to speed skating
2:10 - Early on: Hated the cold
2:55 - Why short track over long track
3:18 - Pacific Northwest pipeline
4:11 - Puget Sound club retention
4:26 - Making Beijing team: Unexpected and incredible
5:14 - Hunger from first Olympics
6:10 - Learning from 9-month injury layoff
6:41 - Doing this journey with sister
7:10 - What second Olympic team would mean
8:06 - Training with Kristen and Corinne