It is true that when it comes to funding and available facilities, those UK participants for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games may not be met with the same luxuries as their other competitors, but their spirits are that much stronger. In fact it is true that even despite these obstacles at least one or two medals are usually brought back to the country during each of the games. And while these upcoming games outlook to be the most rewarding yet, the best chances for a medal may be in the events outside of skiing; yet that doesn’t mean that the dreams and aspirations of the UK’s ski team are dampened in the slightest.
“It’s just indescribable how I feel at this moment in time, words cannot explain it. When I look back over all the hard work over the last five years with my coaching team travelling the world, it starts to put into perspective just what an incredible journey it’s been for us”, states Ellie Koyander a member of the freestyle skiing team. Those words are echoed by Fiona Young from the cross country ski team, “I’m excited about the opportunity to represent my country at the Olympics and I’m really looking forward to competing”.
Being that the Olympics are perhaps the epitome of athletic prowess and achievement it should come as no surprise that all of these athletes have dedicated themselves for years and years for this very chance to shine and that alone will encourage them to step it up even further. In terms of what it takes to be named to the team Andrew Musgrave responds, “There were several different criteria for qualification but mainly it’s to do with the world ranking”.
Of course it will take more than grit and determination to bring home a gold medal, or any medal for that matter, and it appears that the greatest hope for some hardware for the UK in this arena is from Zoe Gillings in the snowboarding cross division. Finishing among the top three spots for a total of five different World Cup games she is coming into the Olympics being ranked as the fifth best.
She notes that her 2006 showing in the Turin games were a bit disappointing with a 15th place, but does cite the fact that she had been injured and had to rush training and thus was not up to the top of her abilities at the time, “I’m even more excited about going to these Olympics than I was about going to Turin”. I’ve been thinking of Vancouver ever since the Closing Ceremony in 2006, and I’m really hopeful of making my country proud. My ambition is to come back with a medal”. So as we draw ever nearer to the Opening Ceremonies our hearts and well wishes are with each and every one of these hard working UK competitors.
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