hankyoreh

July 2. (by Park Jong-sik

By Nam Ji-eun, staff reporter

The figure skating queen smiled comfortably. She said that she missed the ice and cannot give up being an athlete. Yu-na Kim, 22, said, “I will participate in the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics and then I will retire” Kim revealed her plan to continue her job as an athlete at a press conference at Taereung Training Center.

“After I won gold at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, I didn’t have a clear goal as an athlete. I didn’t prepare for the season last year and it was a relaxing break for me.”

People anticipated that Yu-na Kim would quit amateur athletic competition to skate professionally and focus on her endorsement work. Her plans to compete in Sochi were a surprise to some.

“I will go to Sochi as a South Korean champion. I think my fans will raise me up when I am on the ice rink. When I was little I imagined a gold medal in Vancouver as the end of my athletic career, but now that has changed. I would like to round off my long career with a complete victory in Sochi.”

Behind the difficult decision, one can see Kim’s ambition to fulfill her duty as an elite athlete. Yu-na Kim first wore skates when she was 7, became a celebrity as a world Junior grand prize final second runner up, and in 2005 became the first Korean to win a silver medal at the world championships.

Kim’s success won her many fans and plenty of affection. “After I won a gold medal my fans showed deeper affection and interest in me. I was burdened by the expectations. At the same time, however, I received energy from them.”

Kim now trains with younger skaters at Taereung training center, “I had a very thought-provoking experience with the junior skaters. I was very motivated by them. Also, as an athlete I thought I should continue this path”, she said.

“I will show the best of myself to the audience.” She added.

Kim obviously has high expectations of herself. Moreover, people are interested in whether or not she will beat her Olympic record: Vancouver Winter Olympic figure woman single short program score (78.50) and freeskating score (150.06). What is even more interesting is that she will measure her strength against her rival, Asada Mao again in Sochi Winter Olympic. Yu-na Kim said, “Because I had a break my body is strong. I think physically I will have to put a lot of effort on it. But, I will do my best.” She also added, “I would like to become IOC member. I will do my best in Sochi Olympic to become IOC member.”

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