Mellisa Hollingsworth - skeleton athlete

I continue my research on the Olympic athletes that i wrote down while watching the Olympic anniversary. i came across this video that i just had to share. although, things didn't go as shared in the video. Mellisa was not standing on the podium.

Canada had high hopes for Mellisa. they were thinking gold. she left the last race in second place so she needed to be flawless. the race didn't go as planned. she bumped two walls which slid her into 5th. she was heartbroken. she felt like she let her country down. she was apologizing. that was not the race anyone was hoping to see. at the end of the race she grabbed the Canadian flag and held it up high to show Canada that she did try her best and that she did believe. she was thinking who would be proud of her?
until tons of emails came in. all of them explained that she didn’t let Canada down. we are proud of you. that was repeated throughout all of the letters and emails.
Melissa shared the story on the Olympic anniversary about a handwritten letter she got on construction paper from a 5 year old girl named Margo, along with another letter from Margo’s mom. her mom explained that ever since Margo saw you in Italy she loves to go down playground slides head first. Margo couldn't wait to see Mellisa race, and when she didn't get a medal Margo cried. she thought that you deserved one and made you one. Margo sent that hand made medal to Mellisa. Mellisa explained that it warmed her heart and it gave her a good perspective that this is what athletes can do for this country - inspire and create motion. Mellisa also said that maybe we will see Margo in ten years sliding head first down the ice instead of a playground slide.

This story, more than most, touched me. you think that only athletes who win inspire me...that is so wrong and the complete opposite. the medals are only there to show you what you have done, what you have accomplished. they encourage you to do your best because winning is possible and winning is there for you. apolo ohno keeps his Olympic medals in his sock drawer to make it seem like he hasn't won anything which makes him work even harder. sure everyone loves to win, and can always use another medal, but a wise member of the v. family once told me that not everyone can win. not even in the Olympics. what inspires me about Olympic athletes are their stories and where they came from. the things that keep them motivated. if you pay attention, they are pretty wise people. they have been through a lot. they have experience. athletes are hard working people who each have a different story. they were each inspired by something and now they are inspiring young people, like me and Margo, to be athletes and to go after what we desire and dream.

So thank you Mellisa Hollingsworth for inspiring me and Margo. sure you came in 5th in the 2010 Olympics. you are still 3rd in the world. i hope to see you at the next Olympics. and Margo from B.C., keep dreaming big. i will be watching for you!! and as for me, my dream is still there, and my goals are still as big. just wait! :)

~amy