Hwang said he and his teammates don't really talk about what happened four years ago. Most of the current members weren't there anyway.

"I have thoroughly prepared (for the event)," Hwang told reporters after the training at Gangneung Ice Arena on Wednesday, adding he will still continue to make more efforts to show more of himself on the ice. He added he is feeling "average" physically ahead of the Olympics.

Despite the expectations that Hwang will take the throne at the 1,500m race, the skater said he will not be burdened by the outlook.

"At every competition, (all athletes) start on the same line," Hwang said. "I will show what I have trained without any regret in the race."

Hwang, seemingly calm, said he still feels slight pain in his injured left arm when he falls down. He suffered the injury at the World Cup event held in Shanghai, China, in November.

He also said fellow skaters are also maintaining a friendly atmosphere and are focusing on developing teamwork for the men's 5,000m relay by continuously sharing ideas on how to improve each other's performance. (Yonhap)