Teen Figure Skater Gets Training Boost

You Young

You Young, who won the annual Korean Figure Skating Championships last Sunday, will be allowed to continue training with other athletes on the national team at the Taeneung Training Center in Seoul.

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Announcing its decision Thursday, the Korea Skating Union said it would also provide You with a scholarship to enable her to realize her potential and pursue her dreams.

You was named to the national team in January last year. She became the youngest ever winner of the national championships at the age of 11 years and eight months, breaking the previous record of 12 years and seven months set by skating star and Olympic champion Kim Yu-na in 2003.

However, You faced the possibility of losing access to facilities designated for exclusive use by national athletes after the Korea Skating Union raised its minimum age requirement for that privilege to 13 in July.

Pending approval of a package of scholarships and other support by the Korea Skating Union early next week, You will be permitted to train with other national athletes for two to four hours a day. The financial aid is reportedly worth about W2 million per month (US$1=W1,216).

The Korea Skating Union will also discuss plans to develop guidelines for nurturing talented skaters under the age of 13 who, like You, are ineligible to compete in international competitions.