Confession time: I have never sat down to watch the Winter Olympics before. I have always preferred watching the Summer Olympics because I have a better knowledge of the sports included in those, as opposed to the sports included in the Winter Olympics. So, once the 2018 Winter Olympics began, I was not completely convinced on watching them, but I decided to sit down with the rest of my family to watch the first event that day, which happened to be figure skating. Right that instance, I fell in love with it. For once I was open to watching a sport that I had no knowledge about and I truly saw the beauty that is figure skating, as well as how talented, and amazing, these athletes are.
(photo from Googleimages.com)
I was so intrigued by this art form of dance, strength, aerobics, gymnastics, and skill that is figure skating. I had never seen something so breathtakingly strong, yet delicate, before in my life. For the first time in my life, I was stunned by what these athletes had to offer. Let’s just say I began fan-girling so much over this sport that by the second day of the figure skating programs, my catch phrase became “wow, I’m going to go to an ice skating rink, I’m going to train, and you’re all going to see me at the 2028 Winter Olympics.” I’m serious: you can ask my family and they will tell you how obsessed I have become! Something about how fierce, graceful, and perfect the ice skating athletes were from all countries has just inspired me so much to the point where I actually want to physically attempt what they do, for myself. Obviously, I’m completely uncoordinated and clumsy to the point where my catch phrase will remain just that and not become a reality, but I’m just glad that I’m able to still find that determination and inspiration from an outside source and so quickly, which has not happened to me in a long time.
(photo from Googleimages.com)
Although I found each skater to be perfect and spectacular, if I had to narrow it down, my favorite(s) would have to be Nathan Chen (USA), Maia and Alex Shibutani (USA), Evgenia Medvedeva (Russia), Adam Rippon (USA), and Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir (Canada). I know, I know, that did not seem narrowed down at all, but I promise it was. To me, all these figure skaters added so much personality and passion into their programs that I was absolutely in love with their love for what they do. Through all the wins and losses, hits and falls, all these skaters persevered no matter what happened with each event they performed these past two weeks, and to be completely honest, they all SLAYED my life. I truly believe that all the skaters I mentioned above deserved to receive gold medals. I know it’s impossible for all my favorites to win, especially since many of them competed against one another, but I personally felt I recognized just how hungry they were, how passionate they were, and just how hard they all worked, no matter how it turned out on the ice for them, they gave it all they got (I felt like a proud mother).
Skater Nathan Chen, USA. Participated in individual men. (photo from googleimages.com)
Skaters Maia and Alex Shibutani, USA. Participated in partner ice dance mixed. (photo from googleimages.com)
Skater Evgenia Medvedeva, Olympic Athlete from Russia. Participated in individual women. (photo from googleimages.com)
Skater Adam Rippon, USA. Participated in individual men. (photo from googleimages.com)
Skaters Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir, Canada. Participated in partner ice dance mixed. (photo from googleimages.com)
Overall, I’m beyond glad that I ended up watching this year’s Winter Olympics because I have gained a new obsession from it. Now, we all have to wait four more years until we get to see these wonderful figure skaters performing their passion for the world again. There’s no doubt that by the end of these Olympics, I became so involved with these skater’s programs that I slowly began to believe that I, too was there in PyeongChang, watching as a commentator or a wanna-be figure skater. Disclaimer: I also might have followed my favorites (mentioned above) on instagram in order to continue obsessing and fan-girling over them throughout their careers until we see them again in 2022! From my experience, I believe that these Olympics will forever be in my memory as the Olympics I fell in love with figure skating!(photo from googleimages.com)