Ask Yuna Kim to share her memories of Italy when she was a competitive figure skater, and the answers come rushing in fondly.
Kim, sometimes nicknamed the ‘Queen of Figure Skating‘, competed twice in Turin during her highly successful career. In 2007, she won the ISU Grand Prix Final, before taking home World Championships silver from the same city in 2010.
In that latter competition, Kim – fresh off the back of being crowned Olympic champion a month earlier at Vancouver 2010 – struggled in her short program, finishing seventh, but rebounded with a stunning free skate (she won the segment) to leap to second overall.
“I competed in Torino twice,” Kim recalled in a recent exclusive interview in Seoul, Republic of Korea. “In 2010, I participated in the World Championships just a one month after the Olympics, so I was really exhausted — but it was still a meaningful way to close out the Olympic season.
“Italy has always been a country I’ve loved, even outside of competition. I’d love to visit again.”
Perfect timing, then, that the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games are fewer than 200 days away.
“Many athletes in various sports are aiming for good results at Milano Cortina 2026. I’m supporting them all the way, hoping they can prepare fully without any injuries to deliver their best performance on the Olympic stage,” Kim said.
There’s no doubt figure skating will be top draw for Yuna Kim. But what other events does she hope to catch?
“Aside from figure skating, I’m looking forward to outstanding performances in short track speed skating and snowboard halfpipe,” she said. “Regardless of results, I’m also looking forward to watching spectacular skiing events.”