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PYEONGCHANG — Southern California snowboarder Chloe Kim blew the world away this week by dominating a near-perfect run during the women's halfpipe snowboarding final at the Winter Games.
But not only has the 17-year-old Olympian won gold, she's now won over the internet with her relatable tweets.
In case you're unaware, Twitter is often one of the best parts of the Olympics, as the world's best athletes share stories from the Olympic Village, marvel at their newfound fame and freak out over personal tweets from their favorite celebrities. But few have managed to be quite as delightful on social media as Kim.
I'm so nervous!!!!!!! 😂😂
— Chloe Kim (@chloekimsnow) February 11, 2018
After Kim started off the week by sharing that she's a fan of churros as an antidote for nerves and that she "could be down for some ice cream rn," NBC Olympics jumped in to poll fans about which flavor she should get.
POLL: What kind of ice cream should @chloekimsnow get? #WinterOlympics
— NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) February 12, 2018
But Kim was in the middle of competing, so she responded with her approval of the results and a request that someone do her a favor and bring the ice cream to her.
yes...
— Chloe Kim (@chloekimsnow) February 12, 2018
Cookies & Cream is some good stuff. If anyone can get me some to the village thatd be dope
— Chloe Kim (@chloekimsnow) February 12, 2018
Later, Kim shared her regrets about something we can probably all relate to, even if we aren't all Olympic gold medalists.
Wish I finished my breakfast sandwich but my stubborn self decided not to and now I'm getting hangry
— Chloe Kim (@chloekimsnow) February 13, 2018
Hanger.
According to Twitter, between the time Kim started her halfpipe run and the time she finished, her following on the social network had grown more than 600 percent.
When @chloekimsnow dropped into the halfpipe, she had ~15,000 Twitter followers. By the time she finished her run, she had Tweeted about sandwiches and earned a #gold medal & 100,000+ new followers.
— Twitter Data (@TwitterData) February 13, 2018
(Tweeting mid-run made possible, of course, by the delay in airtimes.)
Kim now has a strong support system across the internet, but it turns out she's also had all the support she needs from her parents, who are quickly becoming beloved by the internet.
I mean seriously how great is Chloe Kim’s dad’s sign. He may be my favorite person pic.twitter.com/q5zQ7m2HAL
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) February 13, 2018
.@chloekimsnow’s 1st hug with her mom and dad as an Olympic gold medalist. 🙌🥇 🇺🇸 #Pyeongchang2018#Olympicspic.twitter.com/AtaCVfdiO8
— Coy Wire (@CoyWire) February 13, 2018
After Kim won, her dad shared his story with CNN. It turns out, Jong Jin Kim (Chloe's father) moved from South Korea to the United States in 1982 with just $800 to his name. He later quit his job to help Chloe pursue her snowboarding dreams.
Let's do this thing!!! @GettyImagespic.twitter.com/aF4rutwqIV
— Chloe Kim (@chloekimsnow) February 12, 2018
The family's journey came full circle this week with Chloe competing and winning at the Winter Games in South Korea. Kim said his daughter Chloe represents the American dream to him.
"I'm the dad of an Olympic gold medalist, not many people have this kind of feeling," Kim told CNN.
I hate crying but I'll give myself a pass for this one. Thank you everyone for the love! Stoked to bring home the gold pic.twitter.com/vxApf1lxbI
— Chloe Kim (@chloekimsnow) February 13, 2018