Gangwon Winter Youth Olympics PR ambassador
“Figure skating single, 4 people for the first time… Feeling new”
Yuna Kim shared her thoughts on the controversy over the biased judgment of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.
Kim Yu-na appeared on SBS ‘Young-jin Joo’s News Briefing’ today (23rd) and said, ‘Athletes who participated in the Olympics responded resolutely amidst the controversy over judgment disputes’. There is a ‘sports spirit’ that we know and believe in. (The spirit of sports) can be felt and empathized with by players and viewers alike,” she said.
Then, regarding his impressions of the Beijing Olympics, he said, “I watched all the matches from the perspective of a viewer and cheered.” So it was very emotional and new, and all my friends worked hard to see me since I was young, but now that they are all grown up, it was so proud and wonderful to see them go to the Olympics and compete.”
About Kim Ye-rim (19, Surigo) and Yoo Young (18, Surigo), who grew up dreaming of female figure skating following seeing Yuna Kim, “I knew it very well, and since I was a national player from a young age, I paid more attention to it.” “I was surprised.” What surprised me was that he started playing as an athlete following watching the Vancouver Olympics. I also noticed the age difference. “I was surprised that they started skating when I was thinking of retiring, and it was amazing to see them already competing in the Olympics and getting good results.”
(From left) Yoo Young and Kim Ye-rim female figure skaters / Photo = Yonhap News
In this Olympic Games, Yoo Young placed 6th and Kim Yerim took 9th place. Regarding the success of his juniors, he said, “I felt sorry for the players who worked hard at the thought, ‘Isn’t it difficult to achieve good results compared to players from powerful countries? I was convinced that I might not do it.” He maintained good skills that surpassed that, and the training environment would not have been good because of the corona. ” he said.
Yuna Kim also mentioned the reason why she first dreamed of becoming a figure skater. “She was 7 years old in Korean age,” he said. “She started out as just a hobby. I was having fun with my sister and family during the vacation, but a teacher suggested to my parents, ‘You have talent’, ‘You look different’, and ‘Would you like to grow up as a player?’ ” he said.
He continued, “Actually, I started at a very young age, so I didn’t know how difficult it was, and I rode it because it was fun. Apparently, as I got older and when I was in middle and high school, I had a lot of difficulties physically and psychologically. It was the age of the athletes participating in the Youth Olympics. If there was a youth Olympics, I think I would be thinking a lot regarding what kind of mindset I would have once more.”
Yuna Kim introduced the ‘2024 Gangwon Winter Youth Olympic Games, in which she served as a public relations ambassador, as “a competition hosted by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) where world-class youth participate”. “The Winter Games started in Innsbruck, Austria in 2012. It is a little different from the adult Olympics because young athletes participate, so competition is competitive, but there is also a difference in that they are harmonious with each other and put more importance on activities such as cultural and educational programs,” he added.
Regarding his role as a public relations ambassador, he said, “In the last two Youth Olympic Games, I personally went to the torch relay, hoisted the five ring flags, and participated in such opening ceremonies. I have experience communicating as a mentor,” he said.
In addition, he said, “I hope that the 2024 Gangwon Winter Youth Olympic Games will be held successfully so that young athletes will be able to remain in good memories.”
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