As I watch the opening ceremonies for this year’s winter olympics in Sochi, I’m thinking about my 24 year old son — an Alpine Snowboard racer who’s hoping to be one of the Americans representing Team USA in 2018. He’s been competing since he was 10 years old, and for the past 3 years, traveled the World Cup circuit to race against the very same racers competing in this year’s Olympics.
It’s a long and expensive road to Team USA, and from the sounds of things, nothing short of a miracle that any American wins a gold medal in any sport. Why? According to my son, other athletes are supported by their country and train year round for years on end. Not the Americans whose parents are their sponsors. Like the commercials on television this evening, we do, indeed, freeze our butts off, travel in rain, sleet and snow, dry tears, and help heal bumps, bruises, bones and self esteem…and it’s worth it. Especially upon seeing 230 spirited members of Team USA enter the stadium in their star studded sweaters, ready to get-out-there and give it there all, just like they do every day, at every competiton. Congratulations and best wishes to you all.
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