Gangwon 2024: Take it from Yuna Kim, Winter Youth Olympic Games is a path towards future greatness
The Gangwon 2024 ambassador says Winter YOG is 'a part of the process to become a great athlete'.
Figure Skating
Competing at the Winter Youth Olympic Games is a step towards future athletic greatness, two-time Olympic medallist Yuna Kim said in an exclusive interview with the International Olympic Committee on Friday (19 January).
Ahead of the Opening Ceremony of Gangwon 2024, the Republic of Korea figure skating legend said while she understoood the burden the young athletes are under, finding a way to manage it will pay huge dividends for them in the years to come.
“As the title ‘Olympic’ feels heavy, the athletes may feel a lot of pressure or feel nervous,” said Kim, an ambassador for the 19 January-1 February Games.
“But it is a part of the process to become a great athlete in the future, so I hope that the athletes can relax and compete in the Games, and exchange with other athletes.
“There are many programmes in which they can experience.”
Yuna Kim's golden years
Kim struck gold at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games, the first-ever figure skating medal for her country.
Four years later in Sochi, she added a silver medal before putting period to her decorated career.
Kim went on to play an ambassadorial role at PyeongChang 2018 whose facilities are being used for Gangwon 2024.
“It has already been six years ago (since I visited here), so it feels different and I thought time flies very fast,” she said.
“At that time, I didn't think I would come back to Gangwon Province again for work related to winter sports, but I'm so excited to have an opportunity to be with the young athletes of the Youth Olympics.
“At that time, it was more for adult Olympians, but now this event is an opportunity for the young athletes who are growing up, so I would like to cheer a little more."
Kim was also an ambassador for the first two editions of Winter YOG in Innsbruck in 2012 and Lillehammer in 2016, a responsibility she accepts with pride and pleasure.
“It’s an honour that I have been with the Youth Olympics since 2012, and I am very happy as it is being held in my country Republic of Korea,” she said.
“I am especially happy because Korean athletes have been performing well in various winter sports recently, and I think it will be a great opportunity for them to become better athletes.
“I hope that the young athletes will do their best without regret and many people will cheer them on.”