YONHAP NEWS

(Winter Olympics) Mother and team share Kim's Olympic gold

VANCOUVER, Feb. 25 (Yonhap) -- Figure skating queen Kim Yu-na of South Korea attributed her success at the Olympics to her devoted mother, Canadian coach Brian Orser and other supporters after winning the women's figure skating gold medal at the Vancouver Games on Thursday.

"I want to express my special thanks to my mother for having led me so far and giving me a good scolding," the 19-year-old Kim told reporters after bringing South Korea its first Olympic gold in the event.

Kim also said she was deeply grateful to coach Orser and other members of her entourage -- choreographer David Wilson and physical therapist Song Jae-hyung.

   Kim's mother, Park Mi-hee, 51, and her father, Kim Hyun-seok, 53, burst into tears in the stands of the Pacific Coliseum as about 16,000 spectators offered a standing ovation to Kim after her dazzling free skating performance.

   Park has remained committed to her daughter's skating career since the young talent first got on the ice at the age of seven, demonstrating a natural ability. She has been a strict teacher to Kim, sometimes punishing her with several laps around the track when Kim tried to take shortcuts in her training.

   Her efforts to persuade her adolescent daughter to concentrate on figure skating led to Kim's becoming the youngest member of the national figure skating team in 2003.

   Park has also been Kim's closest friend, as over the past 12 years the 19-year-old athlete has spent most of her time training on the ice or attending competitions instead of hanging around with her peers.

   Her coach Brian Orser teamed up with Kim in 2006 and has been a valuable mentor since.

   "When I first met Orser, I was too shy to perform before an audience but my personality changed as I got more experience," Kim said in a recent interview. "Now I'm pleased and have become familiar with skating before a number of people, so my (facial) expression has improved."

   Orser, a former Canadian world champion and two-time Olympic silver medalist once known as "Mr. Triple Axel," taught Kim not only how to improve her jumps but also how to deal with the pressure of big competitions.

   "The one thing I can share with her is I've been there. I can say to her, 'I know what you're feeling,' and she knows that I really do," Orser told reporters during one of Kim's training sessions.

   Under Orser's guidance, the once shy 15-year-old has developed into the world's top skater, with three Grand Prix Final titles, one World Championship and now an Olympic gold around her neck.

   In designing Kim's gold medal programs, choreographer David Wilson of Canada has also played a significant role.

   Wilson, who came up with impressive programs for Olympic medalist Sasha Cohen, choreographed a number of Kim's record-setting pieces, including the "Miss Saigon (2007-8)," "Danse Macabre (2008-9)," "Sheherazade (2008-9)," and this season's "James Bond" and "George Gershwin" numbers.

   Credit also goes to South Korean physical therapist Song, who worked with ballet dancers and professional baseball players before joining Kim's team. His attention to Kim's physical condition ensured that she was fit to compete at the Olympics without injury.

   brk@yna.co.kr
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