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Kim delights Koreans, Rochette wins hearts
Source: Agencies |
February 27, 2010, Saturday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
KIM Yu-na dissolved into tears after she obliterated the opposition to become the first South Korean to win an Olympic figure skating gold medal, while a grieving Joannie Rochette melted millions of hearts with a display of sheer courage.
The 19-year-old, already hailed as Queen Kim by her legion of admirers, had hollering fans rushing down the aisles after she was crowned Vancouver Games champion with a record combined total of 228.56. She won with a huge margin of 23.06 points.
"This was the first time I cried after an event. I didn't know why but I was so happy," said Kim, already one of the top earning Olympians after banking more than US$8 million in 2009. "I still cannot believe that I received those scores, it's almost as close as the men's score," added Kim, whose score would have placed her ninth in the men's event.
Japanese rival Mao Asada soared high into the air to become the only woman to land two triple Axels at the Pacific Coliseum on Thursday but could not match the technical wizardry, artistry or poise of Kim and settled for silver with 205.5.
Rochette had Canadians and fans all over the world cheering for her after delivering a display full of grace, beauty and guts to earn the bronze just four days after her mother's death.
"I do not see myself as a hero. When I stepped on to the ice I knew I had to be as cold as possible," said the Canadian, who bit her lip and blinked back tears during the medal ceremony.
"It was almost like a relief going on the ice. I was shaking but I knew that I would leave everything on that ice.
"I stepped on the ice and my legs were shaking. My mum was there with me for every step ... giving me strength."
In Kim's case, she had 50 million South Koreans following her every move -- and on Thursday she handed her nation its first Winter Games title outside short-track and speedskating events.
Born 20 days apart, Kim and Asada have been rivals since the moment they first laced up their skates and for the second time in three days, the two teenagers brought traffic to a standstill in South Korea and Japan. But it was Kim who showed nerves of steel from the moment she landed her opening triple Lutz-triple toeloop combination.
Kim almost appeared to be floating on water as she beautifully executed every one of her 11 jumps to the haunting backdrop of Gershwin's Concerto in F.
The dozens of white teddy bears that started to rain down on the ice bore testament to the performance she had just delivered and the judges wasted little time in posting their verdict -- a record 150.06 points for the long program.
Asada had been on the ice to hear the frenzied commotion greet Kim's score and the pressure got to her as she stumbled on her triple flip-double toe-loop combination.
Her glum face at the end of the program told its own story.
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