Yu-na’s personal story moves IOC members

By Do Je-hae

After trailblazing figure skater Kim Yu-na became Winter Olympics champion in Vancouver in 2010, she turned her focus on bringing the 2018 Winter Games to her native country.

As honorary ambassador and the face of PyeongChang’s bid, the 20-year-old Kim graced Korea’s effort in Durban with her signature determination. She dared to outshine other legendary athletes such as football great Franz Beckenbauer and two-time Olympic medalist, fellow skater Katrina Witt representing their respective countries' bids at the IOC general assembly in Durban, South Africa this week.

As Koreans rejoice over PyeongChang's resounding victory over Munich and Annecy, domestic and foreign media are highlighting the compelling role of the riveting figure skater in hosting the Winter Games for the first time in Asia other than Japan.

It was no longer with the mundane messages of "peace" and "Olympic spirit" that Korean officials designed the presentations this time.

Through Kim, Korea finally had a convincing story to win over the hearts of the IOC members, unlike during the past two bids for 2010 and 2014, where PyeongChang narrowly lost to Vancouver, Canada and Sochi, Russia, respectively.

Calling herself "a living legacy of our government’s efforts to improve the standard of winter sport,” Kim delivered not only an effective promotional effort for the bid city, but also shared her personal story of a young girl with Olympic aspirations who ultimately conquered her sport.

The 20-year-old achieved the "grand slam" in figure skating, becoming the champion of all four major events in the field: the Grand Prix Final, the Four Continents Championships, the World Championships and the 2010 Winter Olympics.

"Ten years ago, when PyeongChang's dream for the Winter Games was just beginning, I was a little girl skating at an ice rink in Seoul in pursuit of my own Olympic dream," She wrote in a recent contribution to a South African daily. "Watching the winter games as a child enlightened my spirit and gave me the motivation to work hard every day."

Her case of PyeongChang's bid mainly underlined that hosting the games in the Korean mountainous city would contribute to the nurturing of more “Yu-nas” in the years ahead.

"We can create a new market for winter sports in Asia, home to 60 percent of the world's population, which will drive greater winter sports participation and offer incredible opportunities for winter sports to grow and thrive," Kim said.

During presentations in Durban, Kim brought the similar level of riveting stage presence that had helped her become one of the most expressive female figure skaters after U.S. icon Michelle Kwan and Kristi Yamaguchi, the 1992 Olympic champion in ladies’ figure skating.

The IOC members and foreign media couldn’t take their eyes off Yu-na, who spoke softly but with conviction in almost unaccented English.

After it was made official that PyeongChang had come out victorious, Kim fought back tears during media interviews while expressing her joy and relief.

"We have gone through so much for this moment," Kim said while talking to SBS. "Winning the Olympics was a personal priority, but PyeongChang is a national priority."

Now the question remains for Yu-na’s own Olympic future: will she compete in 2018 in her backyard to defend her hard-won title in 2010?

"I am lost for words about now. I can't say anything right now. It will be very good to compete in my own country," Kim was quoted as saying to Yonhap.

Many fans here and abroad are hoping that much like Kim's idol Michelle Kwan, she will continue to compete in multiple Olympics and peak in her 20s, unlike many skating prodigies who terminate their careers while still in their teens.