Snowboarder Chloe Kim is competing in the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics without any family members in the audience, and she's heartbroken that her parents won't be able to cheer for her live at the games.
The 21-year-old athlete and the rest of the Beijing Winter Olympics participants are expected to strictly observe the rules imposed by the organizers, essentially banning all international spectators at the events due to COVID-19. Only those based in mainland China can be at the venues to control the surging cases. The same rules were imposed during the 2021 Tokyo Olympics last summer.
In an interview with People, Kim said that the ban has hugely impacted her because she wanted her family's presence at the Olympics. When she first joined the Olympics years ago, Kim said that she always looked forward to seeing her parents' reactions after every competition.
"I do think for sure the biggest hurdle might be not having my parents," Kim said, adding that she feels for the other athletes who will be competing in the Olympics for the first time without their families to share in the experience.
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Trying to Overcome Hurdles on Her Own
Kim said that she is learning and overcoming the feeling of having to compete without her parents within an arm's reach. She could easily talk to her mom and dad in between the events in the past.
She won her first Olympic gold at 17 years old and was the youngest person to compete in the Winter Olympics history four years ago, with her parents as her companions. Before flying to Beijing, she admitted in an interview with Today that she was considering dropping out of the Olympics because she experienced overwhelming anxiety after her first win and worried it might happen again.
The athlete, however, is still grateful that she can call her parents, especially when she's freaking out. She knows she could still lean on them even if they are thousands of miles away from home. Kim's parents are watching the Beijing Winter Olympics from their home in California.
Who are Chloe Kim's Parents?
Kim's dad, Jong Jin Kim, and mom, Boran Yun Kim, raised three girls in Long Beach. Aside from Chloe, the Kims also have daughters, Erica and Tracy. While Jong Jin frequently traveled with Chloe for her training and competitions, Boran stayed home with their other daughters, always preparing Chloe's favorite Korean seaweed soup to take to the games with her.
In a 60-second homemade movie prepared by the athlete to honor her parents, Chloe described her mother as the best cook and best friend. Boran preferred to be in the background while Chloe pursued her dreams and brought honor not only to the family but to the U.S.
Meanwhile, Kim said that she knows her parents will always be with her no matter where she competes. The snowboarder is on her way to clinch her second Beijing Winter Olympics gold and make history yet again.
