Burning Ice and Snow Dreams Passion to the Future (My Winter Olympic Story)

Photo: On February 6, the women's steeplechase final of the snowboarding event at the Beijing Winter Olympics was held at the Genting Ski Park in Zhangjiakou. The picture shows the Australian players in the competition. Photo by Wang Haofei, Xinhua News Agency: On February 6, the women's single skating short program competition of the figure skating team competition of the Beijing Winter Olympics was held at the Capital Gymnasium. The picture shows the Italian players in the competition. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Ma Ning: On February 6, the men's double chase competition of cross-country skiing at the Beijing Winter Olympics was held at the National Cross-Country SkiIng Center. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Zhang Hongxiang

Nearly 3,000 athletes from 91 countries and regions participated in the Winter Olympics. In order to participate in this top event that attracts global attention, in order to chase the dreams in their hearts, athletes overcome various difficulties, have the courage to challenge themselves, and passionately embrace the future. On the field, every time they sweat and smile, they interpret the sportsmanship of tenacious struggle and never give up.

Jamaican alpine skier Benjamin Alexander —

"I've got my own 'gold medal', which is the Qualification for the Winter Olympics"

"It's incredible to be part of this amazing opening ceremony!" On the evening of February 4, the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics was held at the National Stadium. During the athletes' entrance ceremony, the Jamaican delegation's flag bearer Benjamin Alexander held the flag in one hand and waved excitedly with the other, very happy. When the reporter asked about the feeling of participating in the opening ceremony, he was very excited, "The 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics will be very successful, and the Beijing Winter Olympics will be even more exciting." ”

At this Winter Olympics, the tropical island nation of Jamaica sent the largest Winter Olympic delegation in its history. Alexander became the first alpine skier to represent the country at the Winter Olympics and will appear in the men's giant slalom event for alpine skiing.

It's hard to imagine that Alexander only started skiing 6 years ago. He told reporters that his association with ice and snow sports is related to Jamaica's legendary snow team. In 1988, the Jamaican men's snow team participated in the Winter Olympics for the first time, and although it ranked last, its courageous sportsmanship won the respect of people... This deed was made into the movie "Light On Ice", which began to be released in many countries in 1993, inspiring many young people to bravely pursue their ice and snow dreams.

Alexander also fell in love with skiing, believing that skiing was "something he had to do in life." At that time, he was 32 years old. Learning to ski from scratch and eventually becoming an Olympian, Alexander admits it was an unusually difficult journey. "I distinctly remember that the first time I practiced, I fell 27 times. If the next time I fall less than 27 times, it's progress. ”

Neither injuries nor the pandemic can indelible Alexander's passion for skiing. Over the past two years, he has spent more than 450 days on ski training. In January, he finally qualified for the Beijing Winter Olympics. "Being able to participate in the Beijing Winter Olympics is already a victory. I have won my own 'gold medal', that is, the qualification for the Winter Olympic Games, and the award ceremony is the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics. Alexander said proudly.

Alexander, who has lived in Hong Kong for four years and has traveled to many parts of China, including Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Macau, is confident in the success of the Beijing Winter Olympics. "The Beijing Winter Olympics will give athletes, coaches and staff from all over the world a wonderful experience." In his view, the Olympic Games are the pinnacle stage of sports, where the best athletes from all over the world gather. The Beijing Winter Olympics will allow as many countries and regions as possible to participate in it and unite together, setting a stage for more athletes to realize their dreams.

Brazilian cross-country skier Jacqueline Mourand -

"I have fond memories of Beijing and it's great to be able to come back"

Participating in the Beijing Winter Olympics is the eighth Olympic trip of 46-year-old Brazilian cross-country skier Jacqueline Moran, and her second trip to Beijing to participate in the Olympic Games.

At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Moran finished nineteenth in mountain biking. "Beijing is beautiful and (the Beijing Olympics) is very well organized. At that time, I was riding my bicycle in Beijing to train, to go shopping, to get to know the whole city... I have fond memories of Beijing and it's great to be able to come back. ”

At the age of 15, Moran began to approach mountain biking, representing Brazil at three Summer Olympics since 2004. In 2005, Moran began to set his sights on ice and snow sports again. In a very short time, she has made breakthroughs in cross-country skiing and biathlon, and has participated in four consecutive Winter Olympics since the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin.

When he came to Beijing to compete this time, Mo Lang felt that his most obvious change was manifested in psychology, "Compared with that year, my mentality is more mature now. I've had a richer experience in life, which allows me to be more focused and better focused on what I want to do. "What hasn't changed over the years is her passion for sports." I've been an athlete since I was a young man and sports have been integrated into my life. I long to return to the Olympics. ”

In long training, Morran has been battling shoulder injuries. A year ago, she competed in the Tokyo Olympics, and this time to participate in the Beijing Winter Olympics, she needs to make a "summer to winter" transition in a short period of time. "Believe that anything is possible." Morant said.

Hungarian snowboarder Kozobak Camilla —

"As long as you work hard, ordinary people can also stand at the highest level of competition"

In the Genting Ski Park in Zhangjiakou Racing Area, the snowboard slope obstacle course "Snow Great Wall" is crystal clear under the sunlight, and the design of the city wall and eaves is quite Chinese characteristics. On the morning of February 5, the track welcomed its first challengers. The 17-year-old Hungarian teenager Kozobak Camilla is one of them.

In the first qualifying round of the women's steeplechase in snowboarding, Kozubak made his twenty-fifth appearance. After facing the coach with two fists and encouraging each other, Kozoubak stepped onto the track, gliding down from the "Great Wall of Snow", jumping and churning, and starting her journey to the Beijing Winter Olympics.

According to the rules of the competition, the 30 participants in the qualifying rounds made a total of two taxis, and the top 12 of the best results in the two rounds advanced to the final. Of the 28 men who competed that day, Kozoubak's results were not ideal. She told the media after the match: "I don't have any excessive expectations for my score or ranking. I'm glad I'm here. I'm sure I'll have more luck next time!"

Since the first Winter Olympics were held in Chamonix, France, in 1924, Hungary has sent delegations to each Of the Winter Olympics and won seven medals, including the first gold medal in short track speed skating at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics. However, no athlete from the Hungarian delegation has ever been selected for a snowboard competition at the Winter Olympics. At the Winter Olympics, Kozoubak, as Hungary's first snowboarder, will also compete in U-shaped track skills competitions. "Ever since I started skiing, it has been my dream to be able to participate in the Winter Olympics." Kozubak said.

Kozubak, who suffers from diabetes and participates in the Beijing Winter Olympics this time, said she also has a "mission" to prove that she can still stand on the stage of the highest level of competitive sports competitions with chronic diseases. "Whether it's an athlete or another profession, as long as you believe in yourself, illness can't stop you from moving forward. Even in the face of difficulties, as long as you work hard, ordinary people can stand at the highest level of competition. She hopes that through her own story, she will inspire more people to move forward towards their dreams.

Next, Kozoubak will continue to challenge the snowboard U-shaped track skill competition. For the 17-year-old athlete, her future is still endless.

People's Daily (2022-02-07 11th edition)