According to Kim, 17, who sat down with NBC News's Today to reflect on the incredible moment she secured gold for the USA, she did not want to ruin her eye makeup.

When asked by host Savannah Guthrie what it was like to stand on the podium during the national anthem, Chloe responded: “I was trying so hard to hold the tears back ‘cause I was like, ‘I can’t cry right now, I can’t do this, I worked so hard on my eyeliner.’”

The history-making teen then said: “It’s such an honour to just represent the US in the country where my parents emigrated from.

“Just this whole process has been amazing, and this journey has been so fun and full of so many memories that I will hold on to for the rest of my life.”

Chloe was referring to her dad and biggest supporter, Jong Jin Kim, who emigrated from South Korea to California in 1982 and who quit his job to support her snowboarding.

As his daughter’s skills on the slopes improved, Kim quit his job so he could dedicate his time to helping his daughter fulfil her dreams.

While watching his daughter’s dreams come true in PyeongChang, Kim held a homemade sign that read: “Go Chloe!” - and after Chloe won her gold medal, he called her his “American dream”.

And, it looks like the teen forgot about her eyeliner after all.

In addition to tweeting about ice cream and breakfast sandwiches, Chloe tweeted: “I hate crying but I’ll give myself a pass for this one.

The Independent

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