South Korean figure skater Kim Yu-na was sighted with ice hockey player Kim Won-joong in several photos taken by a local media outlet, spawning speculation that the two are an item.

The photos, revealed by entertainment news website Dispatch, showed the pair taking a walk at night with Kim’s arm wrapped around his waist.

The two sports stars reportedly first met in 2012 at the Taeneung training center, where Korean national athletes train, and went on dates in secret about twice a month outside the training center.

When the former Olympic champion suffered from pressure and stress while preparing for the Sochi Olympics, Kim Won-joong was there to support her, the media outlet said.

Kim’s agency All That Sports has yet to confirm the rumor.

The speculation surfaced as Kim, hailed as “Queen Yuna” at home and abroad, is still at the center of attention after she lost gold to Russian figure skater Adelina Sotnikova despite her faultless performance at the recently-ended Sochi Winter Games. She won silver at the event and gold at the Vancouver Olympics in 2010.

Meanwhile, her alleged boyfriend, a key player on the national ice hockey team, boosted his recognition by leading the team to win the top prize at the 2013 Ice Hockey Competition.

By Ock Hyun-ju, Intern reporter (laeticia.ock@heraldcorp.com)