Kim Yuna recalled the Vancouver Winter Olympics 15 years ago, saying, "I never cried after a competition, but at that time, I pretended not to, yet I was so desperate."
In a JTBC interview on the 26th, Kim Yuna said, "Many people have told me for a long time that I have a 'strong mentality' and 'iron nerves.' Of course, I performed well at critical moments, controlled my mind well, and had some luck, but honestly, I am human, so I couldn't help but feel nervous."
On February 26, 2010, Kim Yuna achieved a score of 150.06 in the women's singles free skating at the Vancouver Olympics, combining it with her short program score (78.50) to win the gold medal with a record total of 228.56, the highest score ever in women's singles. It was also the first gold medal in figure skating at the Winter Olympics for a Korean.
Kim Yuna reflected, saying, "Now I can say it, but I was shaking inside," and added, "I think appealing confidence was part of the competition."
Eleven years after retiring from competitive skating, Kim Yuna revealed that she still dreams of falling from high places. She said, "I feel like worries, anxieties, and these fears have somehow become ingrained and still remain with me."
Kim Yuna also mentioned the 2014 Sochi Olympics, where she won a silver medal after a controversial decision. At that time, she cried after hearing SBS commentator Bang Sang-ah say in an interview after the awards ceremony, "Thank you, you know? You are the best."
She explained, "Many interpreted my tears as feeling wronged and frustrated with the result, but that wasn't the case. I had already won a gold medal at the Vancouver Olympics, so there was no way to achieve a better result, and I did not have the energy or motivation left for that."
She added, "Because that process was so difficult, it felt like 'finally it’s over,' and all the emotions I had been holding back burst out at once, resulting in tears."