Gangwon 2024: Lucas Koo, Brazil’s history-maker in short track speed skating, making a name for his country
The first athlete from the South American country to compete in short track speed skating at a Winter Youth Olympics spoke to us about the Gangwon 2024 Games, and what he wants to achieve for the country he represents.
Short Track Speed Skating
Short track speed skater Lucas Koo had a special reason to represent the Brazilian colours at the Winter Youth Olympic Games (YOG) Gangwon 2024.
“I want to make a new name for Brazil, and countries that aren't as well represented in ice sports,” Koo told Olympics.com following his Youth Olympic competition.
The 17-year-old carried more than just the Brazilian flag in the Gangneung Ice Arena.
Koo has a true multicultural heritage. He was born and raised in the United States with a Brazilian father and a mother from the Republic of Korea.
“Most of my family is from Brazil. They're ethnically Korean, but from Brazil. And I thought it could be amazing if I could compete for my father's country.”
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Lucas Koo: From ice skating in Washington to Gangwon 2024
Koo’s passion for short track speed skating began in the Washington DC area of the United States, where he grew up. When he turned four years old, Koo had his first experience on the ice, “...and I just didn't want to get off,” he told us.
“My mom was like: ‘Oh, ice skating is really expensive. I don't know if we can support this’. Then she saw that there were ten free lessons at an ice rink and signed me up for that. So, I got on to that, and I just loved it. I stuck with that ever since.”
As Koo progressed in the sport, he joined the Potomac Speedskating Club in Maryland. It's known as one of the best in the world and renowned for developing talents.
He later became the first Brazilian to compete in short track speed skating World Cup events since Felipe de Souza over 15 years ago.
And now, the first ever to compete in the discipline for the country at any Olympic winter sports event by taking to the ice at Gangwon 2024.
Koo started his Winter Youth Olympic campaign by finshing 21st in the men’s 1500m, but followed up by taking two top ten results in the 1000m and 500m events.
In his final competition – the 500m, he suffered a crash in the B final.
“I kind of left off on a hard note, but it's part of the sport. It's what happens," Koo explained. "I really loved to represent Brazil. I wish I did better, made a little bit better name for Brazil. But I did my best, that's what matters”.
“I met so many great people, and it's great to see all my teammates here from my club in America. I think it was really fun, one of the best experiences of my life.”
As for the future, the teenager representing Brazil hopes that Gangwon 2024 won’t be his last Olympic event.
“I want to go to the 2026 Olympics. That's one of my lifelong dreams. Other than that, I definitely want to be more competitive at World Cups and hopefully medalling there, try and make up for what I did here,” Koo shared.