ELISABETH GRAMAUSTRIA, GOLD MEDALLIST, WOMEN'S SKI HALFPIPEQ. How does it feel to win gold in the first ever Olympic ski halfpipe event?A. It's awesome. It's amazing to win it in my home country - I can't really believe it. Words can't describe it.Q. Did you ever expect that you would win the gold medal?A. No. When I came to the Olympic Village I was afraid that I wouldn't even make it into the final. And now I have the gold medal - it's awesome.Q. What was the atmosphere like in the venue when you were competing?A. It was so nice. It was such a good event and the whole occasion was beautiful, especially because it was in Innsbruck.Q. How did your friends and family react to your victory?A. They are so happy about it and they support me in every way.Q. What was it like living in the Olympic Village?A. It's very cool because it's very important to make friends from all over the world. And it helps that the whole team is in the same place as well.Q. How does the YOG compare to other events you've competed in?A. This is my first big international competition, so the fact I won gold is amazing. I was so relaxed. I think in future competitions it will be easier for me now.CHARLIE PADDOCKUSA, YOUNG AMBASSADORQ. What was your most interesting experience in Innsbruck?A. It was the "World Mile" area of the Culture and Education Programme. When I walked in there for the first time, I saw the US hockey team at the Ukraine booth and they were learning and engaging with people from another country. And then I looked over at the Australia booth and we had some of our bobsleigh kids in there. Not only is that cool, but you've got people from Turkey learning about Australian culture through our bobsleigh athletes.Q. Did you get a chance to interact with athletes from other countries?A. All the Young Ambassadors met in Innsbruck last September. In doing so, we got to know each other well enough that I would consider them good friends now. Because of that, I've been able to actively engage with the athletes from their countries.Q. Are any programmes designed for athletes who speak different languages?A. You don't have to speak a language other than your own to understand how to go through the drumming session, for example. You interact with the other athletes in the room without even speaking because of the rhythms. You really pass along those rhythms from one person to the next as each person leads the group through the drumming session. WINTER YOUTH OLYMPIC GAMES38 OLYMPIC REVIEW WWIINNTTEER RY OYUOTUH TOHLY OMPLYICM GPAIMCE SGAMES

YUNA KIM REPUBLIC OF KOREA, OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALLIST, WOMEN'S FIGURE SKATING, AND YOG AMBASSADORMANU HONKANENFINLAND, GOLD MEDALLIST, MEN'S ICE HOCKEYSARA TAKANASHIJAPAN, GOLD MEDALLIST, WOMEN'S SKI JUMPINGAbove Olympic gold medallist Yuna Kim was in Innsbruck as a YOG AmbassadorQ. Did you enjoy the YOG?A. Yes, I had fun. It was great meeting all the athletes. Some of them asked me for advice and I told them to try their best, focus on their own performance and not worry about the other athletes.Q. How did it feel to take part in the Youth Olympic Torch Relay?A. I have experienced torch relays twice before, but it was a great honour for me to take part in the Innsbruck Opening Ceremony as a YOG Ambassador, representing all the athletes that are taking part in the Winter Youth Olympic Games. I enjoyed it a lot.Q. What do you think of the CEP?A. I really enjoyed all the different games. The hula-hoops were so funny! I also liked the career booth. It's very useful for the athletes. They're here to compete, but they can also learn about other cultures and meet athletes from all over the world.Q. How does it feel to win Youth Olympic gold?A. It's pretty exciting - I don't know what else to say! This is the first gold medal for Finland in ice hockey at an Olympic event.Q. The gold medal match was very tense. How were you feeling during the game?A. For the first two periods I think Russia were the better side, but in the final period we were the best. Then we got the goal in the last minute. We trusted our game and we knew we could get the goal. I can't even remember how I felt at the time, I was just so happy.Q. How much have you enjoyed your time in Innsbruck?A. This has been a once-in-a-lifetime experience and we won gold, so it's been great!Q. Do you think this experience will help you in the future?A. Yes, of course. I know what to expect from the Games now. I've learnt so much. I know that you must keep going until the end and never give up. The goal will come if you trust in yourself. If you don't trust in yourself, you won't win.Q. What's it been like living in the Youth Olympic Village?A. It's exciting with so many countries living together. I've made friends from the United States and Canada - it's been great.Q. How does it feel to be the first ever Youth Olympic champion in women's ski jumping?A. I am very glad to be a part of the first Winter Youth Olympic Games, and very satisfied that I could perform to my full ability.Q. Do you think this experience will help you prepare for the Olympic Games in Sochi?A. If I can get a chance to take part in the Olympic Games in Sochi, I definitely would like to use the experience I gained at the Youth Olympic Games and apply it to the Games in Sochi.Q. What has it been like living in the Youth Olympic Village?A. I really enjoyed spending time with other athletes, even though they are different ages and play different sports. I was able to find out all kinds of information from them and I learned so much. WINTER YOUTH OLYMPIC GAMESOLYMPIC REVIEW 39 WINTER W IYNTOEURT YHO UOTLHY OMLYPMICPI CG GAAMMEESSch twiceck Openingassador,s takingympic unny!ompete,but