Kwan says Kim Yu-na is role model for young skaters

By Kim Boram
SEOUL, Jan. 5 (Yonhap) -- Former world figure skating champion Michelle Kwan said
Tuesday that the reigning world champion Kim Yu-na is the most influential role
model for young South Korean skaters.

Kwan, who arrived in Seoul on Sunday for a week long visit as a goodwill
ambassador for the U.S. State Department, led a training session for young South
Korean figure skaters with developmental disabilities.
"I know they all look up to Yu-na Kim. It's a very big compliment when she said
'I looked up to you Michelle when I was very young,'" said the American superstar
after the one-hour event.
"I know that these kids have a good role model, and that's Yu-na Kim. Hopefully
in the future, they will be future world champions."
Kim, who won five international competitions last year, is expected to bring her
country the first Olympic gold medal in the figure skating event at the Vancouver
Winter Games next month. Most previous medals won by South Korea in the Winter
Games have been in short track speed skating.
At a press conference on Monday, Kwan also said that Kim needs to cope with the
pressure of her first Olympic appearance and advised her to enjoy the game. A
five time world championship winner, Kwan obtained the bronze medal at the 2002
Salt Lake Winter Olympics.
During the seven-day visit, she will run a special clinic with South Korean
figure skaters being trained at the national training center and meet with U.S.
troops stationed in South Korea.
brk@yna.co.kr
(END)

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