Yuna Kim, Reason for Declining Commentary Despite 'Love Calls'? ... "Uncomfortable Being More Noticed Than Athletes"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] While sports athletes are active as commentators at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, the 'Figure Queen' Kim Yuna (32) has not appeared, raising fans' curiosity.

On the 17th, Kim Yuna's agency All That Sports stated, "There were offers to be a commentator, but she declined all of them. She does not plan to work as a commentator," adding, "She plans to support her juniors domestically."

Kim Yuna also declined offers to be a commentator during the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics.

It is reported that Kim Yuna's decision not to serve as a commentator is out of consideration for her juniors. In 2018, the Japanese sports media Sports Hochi reported, "Kim Yuna is reluctant to receive attention more than the athletes. She declined the offer as a way to consider her juniors."

Instead of serving as a commentator, Kim Yuna sent a message of support to the Korean figure skating national team through the official Olympic SNS account on the 10th, encouraging her juniors.

Meanwhile, Kim Yuna recently attracted attention by criticizing the decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to allow Kamila Valieva (16, Russian Olympic Committee, ROC), who was confirmed to have violated doping rules, to participate in the Olympic individual event.

On the 14th, she posted on her Instagram with a black image, writing in English, "Athletes who violate doping rules cannot participate in competitions." She emphasized, "There should be no exceptions to these rules. The efforts and dreams of all athletes are equally precious."