KIM YUNA

The Sochi Games is not only my second Olympics, but the 'retirement stage' for me, so I want to have a greater experience than any other competition before. In the past, I had strong concepts for short programs and lyrical ones for the long. But this time, it's the other way around.

When I came back on the rink in 2012, I set a goal of wrapping up my career well rather than just winning medals. I'm not preparing for any special skills for Sochi because I don't feel like they are necessary.

I am not trying my best because it is the Olympics. I try my best always.

Where there is peace, there is sports; where there is sports, there is peace. Peace is what allows us, especially young people, to dream, go after one's goals and prepare you for the next challenge in life.

I love weekends. Just like everyone else, I get to rest on weekends and go out with friends. I hate Mondays.

A coach told my mum I had talent and I would make a very good skater.

When I was young, many people didn't know what figure skating was. Some who knew of it thought of it as dancing on ice. But, as I entered international competitions and got good results, many people got to know more about it and came to cheer for me.

The thought of having the expectations of the whole country on my shoulders worried and unnerved me.

When I was little, I had never really expected to win such a big competition. For a long time, just skating in the Olympics had been my goal because not many Koreans had done it.

People expect that I'll be just perfect on ice, and that's not the case. I make mistakes, too. When I review my performance, sometimes I feel I did awful. That's the whole part of the process of what people see when I'm performing.

Even in the hardest circumstances, dreams can give you the courage to live, and I hope I can share that message with children in need.

In competition, when I start performance I try not to think about all the pressure from the fans. But, I got a lot of energy from them always. They make me more perfect.

Many people talk about winning two straight gold medals, but I'm not focusing on defending the title.

For the off-ice training, I do basic strength training, and for the on-ice training, I practice jumps, spins, steps, and my new long program with my new coach Peter Oppegard.

For an athlete myself, it is especially meaningful for our country to host an Olympics. Every athlete hopes to participate in an Olympics, so I still can't believe the games of dreams is going to take place in Korea.

I trained for four years in Toronto, and even before that, I was back and forth between Canada and the States during summer for training. And, since there isn't much difference between Canada and the States, I haven't felt much difference in the environment.

During my early skating years, there were not many ice rinks in Korea, and even the few rinks that existed, most of them were public.

The popularity of figure skating has increased tremendously, and Koreans have a huge interest in figure skaters - not only me, other international skaters as well.

If I walk in the street in Korea, I am recognized.

I love figure skating. It's what I'm good at.

I like to be just an athlete, but if I go to competition and compete, I love to be a star, maybe.

I always thought the Vancouver Olympics would be my last destination, but I'm extending it to Sochi... I want to start anew, not as an Olympic medalist but just as yet another figure skater.

The Vancouver Olympics was the first competition where I completed the short and free programs without any mistakes, and that in itself was a huge achievement.

Korean audiences are amazing. The fans scream so loud, and that really surprises skaters when they first perform in my shows.

Building a better life for every child is a lot harder than becoming a world champion. Both goals take dedication and commitment.