Her first and last names remind folks of the Kardashians, so stealing the spotlight and creating a social media craze at the Winter Olympic Games is only right for 17-year-old Chloe Kim. Unlike the Kardashians, she actually lived up to her pre-Olympic hype by becoming the youngest halfpipe gold medalist in Olympics history on Monday, while captivating the world with her story and her talent.
Before the Olympics, Kims Twitter account hovered around 10,000 followers. Now she has 168,000 and rising. Her tweets during the competition were engaging, funny and real. They went a long way towards pulling people into Chloemania.
Chloe Kim on Twitter
I hate crying but I’ll give myself a pass for this one. Thank you everyone for the love! Stoked to bring home the gold
One difference between Chloe Kim and the Kardashians is that her parents arent socialites or famous. They are South Korean-born and along with her grandmother, have sacrificed so much for Kim’s journey to greatness.
There would be no political messages on this day as relations between the U.S. and South Korea reportedly continue to fray. Just joy.
The Daily News referenced Kim’s situation in an article following her victory – While she understands the urge to build a narrative around her that turns her into a connective tissue of sorts between the host country and the one she calls home,” the paper said, ” its one she politely sidestepped.
California Dreamer: Behind snowboarding great Chloe Kim is one great dad
Snowboard champion Chloe Kim has a lot to be thankful for, but mostly she’s thankful for her dad. Together they travel the world making the near-impossible happen.
Chloe is simply a kid from Torrance, California who says she likes music, the mall and eating ice cream. Very rarely does an athlete live up to their pre-Olympic hype as Kim has. She’s the female Shaun White.
Her victory at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics at age 17 was already four years in the making.
Kim was being billed as an American teen sensation and the next grand master of the snowboarding scene since last Olympics in Sochi. Kim, who began snowboarding at age 4 in California, would have made the Olympic team in 2014, but amazingly she was only 13 and according to Olympic rules, too young to compete. So in reality, her stunning victory is merely a dream deferred.
In her first run at Phoenix Snow Park in the final, Kim landed a 1080 in a dazzling trip that earned her a 93.75 score that would prove enough to clinch gold.
The Shadow League on Twitter
Here is Chloe Kim’s ridiculous first run! https://t.co/5xe6mTq379
With the gold already on smash by the time of her third run, she then carved out another piece of history, becoming the first woman to land back-to-back 1080s en route to a 98.25.
In 2016, Kim carried the U.S. flag and won two gold medals at the Youth Olympic Games in halfpipe and slopestyle. She is also the only athlete in X Games history to earn four gold medals before the age of 18.
Snowboard Halfpipe – Chloe Kim (USA) wins Ladies’ gold | Lillehammer 2016 Youth Olympic Games
Highlights of the Ladies’ Snowboard Halfpipe event from the Oslo Vinterpark Halfpipe on Day 3 of the 2016 Youth Olympic Games in Lillehammer. USA’s Chloe Kim…
She was very familiar to those who follow winter sports, but her performance on the Olympic stage and her South Korean heritage have combined to introduce her to the world and regardless of whether she craves it or not, has made her a ray of hope for U.S.-South Korean relations in the future. She’s also a prime example of the sacrifice of immigrant parents and how many sacrifice everything to ensure success for their kids.
NBC Olympics on Twitter
It takes a village to raise a gold medalist. Winning gold in South Korea is especially meaningful for Chloe Kim and her family. #BestOfUS #WinterOlympics https://t.co/D65Nuoyydu https://t.co/lhHbz5m0BI
Less than a week before the opening ceremony of her first Olympics, Kim and her family were introduced the the casual American sports fans by way of a commercial during the Super Bowl. The ad chronicled her fathers sacrifices to help her pursue her dream.
Chloe Kim Song by Ray Charles NBC Olympics Super Bowl 2018 Pre Release
Chloe Kim Song by Ray Charles NBC Olympics Super Bowl 2018 Pre Release http://superbowl-commercials.co/2018
One gold medal can change the life trajectory for any athlete and Chloe Kims life changing moment occurred on Monday in the Winter Olympics as we witness the perfect blend of great skill, blossoming celebrity and an interesting family narrative that fits perfectly into thrusting Chloe Kim into the forefront as the rising star of these Winter Olympic Games.
Chloe Kim: Get To Know This Olympic Snowboard Hopeful | Beyond The Bib Part 1
At just 16-years-old, Chloe Kim is poised to become the world’s most dominant snowboard female halfpipe rider. Two years ago, she earned enough points to qualify for the Sochi Olympics. Unfortunately, her talent exceeded the minimum age for Olympic eligibility and she will have to wait until PyeongChang in 2018 to perform on the world’s largest stage.
