The world can’t get enough of U.S. snowboarder Chloe Kim. One of the most-talked about athletes of the 2018 Winter Olympics, the 17-year-old won gold with a historic performance on Tuesday, February 13. But she isn’t the only member of the Kim family stealing the show in PyeongChang, South Korea.
During the athlete’s epic run, her dad, Jong Jing Kim, was seen at the bottom of the halfpipe clutching a homemade sign that said “Chloe” with a pink heart. After Chloe’s win, her father and mother, Boran Yun, embraced her and Jong Jin was heard saying, “American dream.” (Jong Jong Jin emigrated from South Korea to the United States in 1982 with just $800 dollars in his pocket.)
Arguably Chloe’s biggest fan, Jong Jin quit his engineering job nearly a decade ago when his daughter was 8 so he could drive her more than six hours from Los Angeles to Mammoth Lakes, California, for training.
Chloe is beyond grateful for her parents’ sacrifices and tells Us Weekly that having them with her in PyeongChang has made the experience that much better.
“All of this is so new and crazy and they made it so much easier and fun for me,” she told Us. “They’re a huge part of why I get to do what I do, and I’m so lucky to have them.”
The Olympian added that the win hasn’t set in just yet. “I have these new memories that I’ll never forget,” she gushed. “And for that I’m so grateful. I’m just trying to enjoy the moment.”
With reporting by Jennifer Peros
