Milan, Italy – The hopes of Hannah Lim adn Quan Ye for a strong showing at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan ended Monday, as the South Korean ice dance team did not advance to the free dance competition. The duo encountered difficulties during their rhythm dance performance at the Milano Ice Skating arena, ultimately finishing 22nd among 23 competing pairs.

Rhythm Dance Struggles Cost Qualification

Lim and Quan achieved a career-low score of 64.69 points in their routine, which was set to a medley of songs by Will Smith including “Men in Black,” “Pump Me Up,” and “Gettin’ Jiggy wit It.” A critical stumble by quan during the twizzle sequence proved detrimental, impacting their overall technical score. According to the International Skating Union (ISU), the top 20 teams from the rhythm dance automatically qualify for the free dance, scheduled for wednesday.

technical elements, evaluating the precision of moves like twizzles and step sequences, garnered the team 34.28 points. The program component score, assessing choreography and artistic impression, contributed 30.41 points to their total.

A Recent partnership on the Olympic Stage

This Olympic appearance marked the first for the pair skating together. Lim, who holds dual citizenship after being born in Toronto to South korean parents, chose to compete under the South Korean flag. Quan, originally from Iceland but raised in Canada, completed the naturalization process to become a South Korean citizen in December 2024, according to reports from the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee (KSOC).

The duo previously scored 70.55 points in the rhythm dance portion of the team event held last Friday, providing a glimpse of their potential but ultimately not enough to secure advancement.

Key Performance Statistics

Category Score
Technical Element Score 34.28
Program Component Score 30.41
Total Score (Rhythm Dance) 64.69
Team Event Rhythm Dance Score 70.55

The rise of ice dance in South Korea has been steadily increasing, with the nation investing in training programs to enhance its international competitiveness. The International skating Union notes a global surge in ice dance participation in recent years, reflecting its growing appeal.

Do you think increased investment in winter sports will lead to more success for South Korea on the world stage? And what role do dual-nationality athletes play in expanding the reach of these sports?