Chinese teenage debutant Tai Zhien is optimistic about the upcoming Olympics. After finishing 12th out of 12 competitors in the women's 5,000 meters at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics on Thursday (February 12), Tai Zhien said she was confident of performing better at the next Olympics. Competing in the first pair, the Chinese speed skater recorded a time of 7 minutes 15.71 seconds, or 29.54 seconds behind the winner from Italy, Francesca Lollobrigida. Disappointed, Tai Zhien's tears flowed in the warm-up area before calming down to speak to reporters. "Standing on such a big stage, I now realize how big the time difference is," said the 19-year-old, who is competing in her first Olympics. "I know there's still a lot to improve, but I'm confident I can do better next time." Tai Zhien, who finished seventh in the 5,000 meters at last year's World Single Distance Championships, admitted a slight change in her mindset prevented her from performing at her best. "At the World Single Distance Championships last year, I reminded myself, 'Don't worry about the result, just do your best,'" he said. "This time, maybe I was a little too eager to perform well. I don't have any Olympic experience yet, so I should have kept the same mentality as I did last year," he added. "This has been a valuable learning experience for me," the skater added. Chinese teenager Tai Zhien in action during the final. On Wednesday (February 11), Ning Zhongyan won a bronze medal in the men's 1,000-meter speed skating event, which was China's first medal in an ice sport at this Olympics. Ning had a less than optimal performance at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, finishing fifth in the event. "Ning sets a good example for me, I will learn from her," said Tai Zhien. The teenage athlete began ice skating at the age of 10 when her grandmother took her to an outdoor ice rink in Yanbian, northeast China's Jilin Province. Right after her match on Thursday, her grandmother sent her a message of encouragement. "Grandma said, 'You've worked hard,'" Tai Zhien said. "I'll call her soon to talk more."

Chinese teenage debutant Tai Zhien is optimistic about the upcoming Olympics.

  After finishing 12th out of 12 competitors in the women's 5,000 meters at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics on Thursday (February 12), Tai Zhien said she was confident of performing better at the next Olympics.

Competing in the first pair, the Chinese speed skater recorded a time of 7 minutes 15.71 seconds, or 29.54 seconds behind the winner from Italy, Francesca Lollobrigida.

Disappointed, Tai Zhien's tears flowed in the warm-up area before calming down to speak to reporters.

"Standing on such a big stage, I now realize how big the time difference is," said the 19-year-old, who is competing in her first Olympics.

"I know there's still a lot to improve, but I'm confident I can do better next time."

Tai Zhien, who finished seventh in the 5,000 meters at last year's World Single Distance Championships, admitted a slight change in her mindset prevented her from performing at her best.

"At the World Single Distance Championships last year, I reminded myself, 'Don't worry about the result, just do your best,'" he said.

"This time, maybe I was a little too eager to perform well. I don't have any Olympic experience yet, so I should have kept the same mentality as I did last year," he added.

"This has been a valuable learning experience for me," the skater added.

Chinese teenager Tai Zhien in action during the final. 

On Wednesday (February 11), Ning Zhongyan won a bronze medal in the men's 1,000-meter speed skating event, which was China's first medal in an ice sport at this Olympics.

Ning had a less than optimal performance at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, finishing fifth in the event.

"Ning sets a good example for me, I will learn from her," said Tai Zhien.

The teenage athlete began ice skating at the age of 10 when her grandmother took her to an outdoor ice rink in Yanbian, northeast China's Jilin Province. Right after her match on Thursday, her grandmother sent her a message of encouragement.

"Grandma said, 'You've worked hard,'" Tai Zhien said. "I'll call her soon to talk more."