Kwan says South Korea’s Kim Yu-na strong role model for next generation of Asian skaters

Kwan praises Korean figure skater Kim

SEOUL, South Korea — Five-time world champion Michelle Kwan believes South Korean Kim Yu-na, one of the favorites for the Vancouver Olympics, is an influential role model for future figure skaters from the Asian nation.

Kwan is visiting South Korea this week as a goodwill ambassador for the U.S. State Department, and led a training session Tuesday in Seoul for young skaters preparing for the Special Olympics.

“I know they all look up to Yu-na Kim,” Kwan said. “It’s a very big compliment when (Kim) said, ‘I looked up to you Michelle when I was very young.’”

The 19-year-old Kim, the reigning world champion, is South Korea’s first hope for an Olympic medal in figure skating and is currently training in Canada in preparation for the Winter Games.

She said in August that she grew up idolizing Kwan, who won a silver medal at the 1998 Nagano Olympics and bronze at the 2002 Salt Lake City Games. Kim even invited Kwan to perform with her at an exhibition last year, the American skater’s first trip to South Korea.

Kwan, now 29, told reporters that Kim will be grappling with the pressure of competing at her first Olympics. Her advice: Enjoy the games.

Dressed in a blue Team USA sweat shirt, Kwan spent an hour Tuesday guiding 11 young skaters in spins, jumps and crossovers. She had arrived in South Korea on Sunday, but was forced to cancel master classes Monday because of a snowstorm that was the heaviest on record.

Kwan also is slated to visit with U.S. troops while in Korea.

“I know that these kids have a good role model, and that’s Yu-na Kim,” she said. “Hopefully in the future, they will be future world champions.”