The Pain of Victory
Canadian disabled skier Lauren Woolstencroft, of North Vancouver, BC, made history by winning a fifth consecutive gold medal at the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games in the highlight to an impressive final day of competition for Canada’s Para-Alpine Ski Team in Whistler.
Woolstencroft is the most decorated female athlete from any country at a single Winter Paralympic Games by winning five gold medals. She crossed the finish line in Saturday’s super combined, which combined one super G run with a slalom, to win by more then 12 seconds.
“I am a competitor, I always want to race my best and it was a bit of a tricky course so I had to be super focused. At the same time I knew I had to get down so I needed to ski a smart run. Obviously I’m super happy and surprised with the outcome,” said the 28-year-old Woolstencroft, who was born missing her left arm below the elbow as well as both legs below the knees.
“I never thought I would actually win the five medals. The biggest challenge here was to ski your best day after day. I am mentally fried right now, today my only focus was the race and I am pretty mentally tired. I had great confidence coming in and I was super prepared. I knew I had the potential but you can never know what is going to happen,” added Woolstencroft. “I don’t know if all of this has set in yet, I am just kind of surprised still.”
What they don’t mention is that after one of her early gold medal victories, I watched her fall after the finish line and she stayed down for quite a while in obvious pain. During the post-race interview she agreed that she injured her leg, but she does that all the time, and she will just suck it up and get out there and do her best to win the next race.
That determination, perseverance and will power are what makes a champion a champion. Knowing what she’s been through her entire life, I guess the consequences are little compared to the achievement.
It brought a tear to my eye and pride to my heart.