The XXIII Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea from February 9 to 25 is over.
On to the XXIVth edition of the Winter Olympics in Beijing, China from February 4 to 20 in 2022.
Everyone who dreams to be the best and is determined to excel physically and skillfully in winter sports has another four years to fulfill a golden reality.
Those who stood at the podium, those who did not make the cut, those who train and coach athletes, those who provide moral and financial support to players, those who simply love and follow the games — there are only four years to get ready.
The Olympic clock is ticking.
From the great moments to the great memories, move on.
From the huge show of camaraderie, friendship and love, move on.
From all the negative hype and glitter, move on to the next.
Prepare harder. Set the best standards. Stretch limits. Play with determination. Go for excellence.
Better remember: Have fun, all the time.
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Congratulations, Canada!
The 29-medal (11 gold, 8 silver and 10 bronze) haul in the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics has set a new tone for the country and its winter sport athletes.
The final Canadian medal count went beyond its 26 medals in the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics and its 25 medals in the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.
Very notable is the fact that many of the medals the Canadian athletes won in PyeongChang came from winter sport disciplines that very seldom drew attention than figure skating and ice hockey.
What this says about Canada’s performance in the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics remains to be seen.
The hopes are high that Canada will be a force to deal with in future winter-inspired games.
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Admittedly, my admiration goes to Canadian ice dance icons Scott Moir and Tessa Virtue, who wore gold in PyeongChang before waving goodbye to future Olympic competitions; as my awe does too to all those who have developed the penchant to figure skate.
Ever since I settled in Canada, winter was never complete without witnessing — on television — figure skaters and ice dancers take to the ice.
Their performances were simply, to quote and oft-repeated phrase — “poetry in motion.”
And I could not even skate!
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On another note, this column would also like to congratulate figure skater Michael Christian Martinez and Alpine skier Asa Miller, who represented the Philippines.
While not much of a medal is expected from the two Olympians, both etched their indelible mark on PyeongChang’s characteristic wintry landscape.
Earlier, Philippine Olympic chef de mission Tom Carrasco, Jr. said their participation would likely give them the experience to do better and play, despite the odds, their best in future Games.
Martinez, who was the lone representative of the Philippines in the 2014 Sochi Olympics, and Miller may as well be models of a big number of young Filipino boys and girls who have developed a liking to ice and snow.
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While we are at sports, Bro. Romy Olit, Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus (KofC) San Lorenzo Ruiz (SLR) Council 8809, and council members have every reason to show off broader smiles (with a little bragging here and there) these days.
Two of the three-member Team SLR — Marlon Ace Edquila (Category: 14 years old, boys) and Andrea Mikayla Paras (Category: 13 years old, girls) each won a gold medal in the annual KofC regional Free Throw Competitions at the St. Brother Andre Catholic School gymnasium in Markham, Ontario on February 24.
Edquila wrote history, sinking — with ease and confidence — 25 of 25 baskets at the hardcourt’s 15-foot free throw line.
For the perfect score, he also received a special award — a Raptors cap signed by NBA Raptor rookie-starter OG Anunoby.
Host KofC officials noted that Edquila’s feat was a first in the KofC regional competitions.
On the other hand, Paras made 17 of 25 free throws, the best in her category.
Team SLR’s Isaic Felix Barrera (Category: 13 years old, boys) missed the medal board, but looked forward to a better outing in next’s year’s contest.
Team SLR’s Damian Austria (Category: 11 years old, boys) and Michael Pua (Category: 12 years old, boys) were unable to join the regional finals.
Edquila, Paras, Barrera, Austria and Pua topped their individual categories during the SLR council’s Free Throw Competitions at the Dennis R. Timbrell Recreation Centre in North York, Ontario on January 20, 2018.
On hand to provide moral support — and later celebrate Team SLR’s amazing performance — were Brothers Romy, Deacon Bob Rosales, Jun Lopez and this writer.
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Remember this? “Ang nagwawagi ay ‘di umaayaw. Ang umaayaw ay ‘di nagwawagi.” #####
