Yuna Kim Is A Winner For Reasons That Really Count

Yuna Kim Is A Winner For Reasons That Really Count
Yuna Kim of South Korea competes in the women's short program figure skating competition at the Iceberg Skating Palace during the 2014 Winter Olympics, Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2014, in Sochi, Russia. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Yuna Kim of South Korea competes in the women's short program figure skating competition at the Iceberg Skating Palace during the 2014 Winter Olympics, Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2014, in Sochi, Russia. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

No matter your thoughts on Yuna Kim's silver medal shock on Thursday, no one can deny that "Queen Yuna," as she's known in South Korea, has played a star role in the philanthropy field.

The 23-year-old who is retiring after the Sochi Games, hoped to be the first woman to win back-to-back Olympic gold medals in figure skating since Katarina Witt did in 1988, according to the Associated Press. That dream was shattered when the South Korean star lost to Adelina Sotnikova of Russia.

More than 1.7 million furious fans have taken to Change.org demanding an investigation into her scores. (The surge of petitioners actually crashed the site on Friday morning.) But Kim gracefully accepted her second-place win, telling reporters that "being able to perform in the Olympics is meaningful enough," according to the Wall Street Journal.

It’s not all that surprising that Kim -- one of the top 10 highest-paid females athletes in the world -- has such a sound understanding of what constitutes "meaningful."

The Olympic darling has made philanthropy as much of a priority as her competitions throughout the years.

Kim, who was appointed a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in 2010, has used her fame and her millions to help those in need across the globe.

She said she was inspired to get involved with UNICEF after the devastating Haiti earthquake.

"I want to use my own positive experience to help the children of Haiti and the millions of vulnerable children around the world," Kim said in a statement. "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."

But her charitable endeavors date back to 2007, according to her website.

Some of her noteworthy efforts include donating 144 million won (approximately US $134,278) to children with cancer and rare diseases in 2008, according to her website. In 2010, she gave 40 million won (approximately US $37,299) earned from a radio appearance to the Korea Foundation for Persons with Disabilities. Most recently, in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan, she donated $100,000 to provide drinking water and education to storm victims, according to the Global Post.

You’re always going to be a winner to us, Yuna.

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Figure Skating - Winter Olympics Day 12

Ladies Figure Skating Short Program

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