PYEONGCHANG, Feb. 10 (Xinhua) -- Former Olympic figure skating champion Kim Yuna said on Saturday that she was afraid of an error before lighting the Olympic flame at the opening ceremony of the 2018 Winter Olympic Games.
The 27-year-old, who won the women's title at the 2010 Vancouver Games, performed a short skating routine below the cauldron before receiving the torch and sending flames shooting up to the cauldron.
"When I was on the ice rink I couldn't really see the spectators in the stadium," she said at a press conference. "I was only thinking, 'I could fall, so I shouldn't make any mistakes'. So that was the only thing on my mind. I was really focusing on what I was doing."
Kim retired after winning a silver at the Sochi Games four years ago and has been working as an honorary ambassador for the PyeongChang Olympics.
"I skated on the ice for more than 10 years but it was the first time I skated so high up. So many people helped me so that I was able to complete my task without any mistakes.
"I have skated in many competitions and performances. However, to perform in front of so many audience it was my first time.
"For competitions and other performances, if I make a mistake then I can make it up next time, but this is the only chance. This was the moment that the world was watching. It just went by too fast, so it really felt surreal."
Kim, who was the first South Korean to win an Olympic figure skating gold, said that it was a great "honor" to be the last torch bearer.
"As an athlete myself it was a great honour for me," she said. "It was an unforgettable moment."
She added, "At first when I received the music and making the choreography I didn't feel that much of an excitement. But once I saw the Flame lit it was just surreal. I felt numb. When I talked to people around me after the ceremony, when the flame arrived it was really touching. Not only me but others would have felt the same way."
