Beijing, 18 Feb (Xinhua) -- Which is more significant, the winter Olympic gold medal won at the age of 25 or the bronze medal won at the age of 41? Perhaps only Gu Xiu and Nichols knew the answer to this question.
"The gold medal won by defeating all opponents smoothly is the same as the bronze medal won in 16 years, through the peaks and valleys of the Winter Olympics, and the exhaustion of the battle." Gu Hugh, a 41-year-old Canadian men's curling captain, said.
Canada's Brad Gushu (center) in the men's curling semifinals at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing on Feb. 17. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wang Jingyan
On the 18th, the Canadian team led by Gu Xiu defeated the defending champion United States 8:5 to win the bronze medal in men's curling at the Winter Olympics. For Canada, the "world's number one curling power" with a curling population of more than 1 million curlers and almost never missing the podium of any Winter Olympics, it is not a dazzling record to win only one bronze medal in multiple events.
However, before entering the mixed area, the silver-haired Canadian coach could not help but raise his hand to wipe away tears, and the 42-year-old third baseman Nichols was in tears when he hugged Gu Hugh. Only Gu Xiu maintained his usual elegance and restraint, red eyes when he turned around, raised his hand to wipe his nose.
Canadian team's Mark Nichols plays in the men's curling round robin at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing on Feb. 17. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Xue Yuge
"This is a moment that we will never forget for the rest of our lives because we have given 16 years for this moment. I have a family with Gu Xiu, I have children, some of the old players are gone, but we never give up..." Said Nichols choked again. "I know the kids watch me play on TV all the time, I love curling, and they love watching me curl, and maybe that's what it's about me giving so much time and sacrifice to stay here."
Sixteen years ago, 25-year-old Guccio and 26-year-old Nichols won the gold medal at the Turin Winter Olympics with three former teammates. Gu Xiu scored 6 points in one hit, became a legend, and even had someone write a book for him.
"At that time, you felt like the world was at your fingertips, and you felt like you were going to continue to get a lot of medals and play in a lot of world championships." "But curling was a humble and low-key game, a very challenging sport," Gu Xiu recalled. ”
Canada has more than 1,000 curling clubs, a total of 59 times to win the Winter Olympics or World Championships, and talents are full of talents. It is no easier to stand out from the Canadian domestic selection competition and qualify for the Winter Olympics than to win a medal at the Winter Olympics.
After the light, it was a bottomless abyss – Gu Hugh and his team never made it to the Olympic stage again, even when he formed the "best team". There is no hope, the old players who originally cooperated with tacit understanding have left one after another, and only Nichols has accompanied Gu Xiu.
"Many times, I feel close to my dream, but it is always a little bit worse. I think we're like Selma and Louis in End of the Road — they drive off a cliff at the end of the movie. Gu Xiu often described him and Nichols half-jokingly. In order to enter the Olympic stage again, they have always bravely moved forward with an almost desperate mood.
Keep the clouds open to see the moon. Although both believe that the team is not in good shape this week, it is not empty-handed.
"Years later, looking back on the long road of life, I will see the bronze medal next to the gold medal 16 years ago, and I will be excited about my unrelenting efforts." My children will also see and will know what it takes to reach their dreams with the effort and focus. Nichols said.
This bronze medal is not the end.
"In two weeks, we're going to play a Grand Slam tournament, and maybe after the game, we'll be a little more uplifted." Gu Xiu smiled and said, "At the moment, I just want to hurry home and accompany my wife and daughter." ”
Editors: Shuwen, Wu Bowen, Zheng Daojin, Wang Shuqing (Intern)