I want to believe that we did not completely lose (in the sound of horns, in harmful tensions or in legitimate worries and sufferings) an event that should delight us, unite us, fill us with admiration and hope. The Olympics! Under the weight of the relentless pandemic with its severe restrictions, the empty stands and the political as well as humanitarian controversies regarding the host country from the very beginning, this year's competition could still be an optimistic breath for a tired world turned upside down. We need to be fascinated and inspired by the countless stories of our athletes that transcend adversity, injustice, pain and fear. To rally behind them, true supporters of their perseverance, courage and dedication.
From the first days of the Games, Madeline Schizas became a household name. The young Canadian skater was unquestionably the "heroine" of the day, astonishing the world with her determination to lead Canada's figure skating team into the final team event. Coming into the event as a bit of an underdog with her team’s fate resting on her success, she skated her personal best, placing 3rd within her category, defying everyone’s expectations as well as the provisioned outcomes and rankings, and qualified Team Canada to skate their free programs. She showed no apparent regard for the Olympic weight on her shoulders and quite literally jumped at the opportunity to help when no one else could. In an individual sport, Madeline outdid herself for her team and that is sometimes worth more than any medal.
What is perhaps less known is that Madeline comes from the culture of a community club which has always put team spirit and friendship at its centre. From the most introductory competitions to the national ones, the club earned its reputation as having the noisiest and most supportive gallery. As children, they trained together, most of them went to school together, had fun together, competed together. A club that has produced excellent skaters, multiple provincial and national medalists over the years, and now so rightfully deserved, becomes the first one to have such international success.
She trains at the Milton Skating Club with Nancy Lemaire and Derek Schmidt, well-known technicians among Canadian coaches, as well as Ann and Paul Fisher, mentors from her very start, watching her grow up on and off the ice. Asher Hill, a former ice dancer, is the young and talented choreographer with whom she has worked with mainly in recent years and who choreographed her short program. The long program is a collaboration with Lance Vipond, a well established choreographer, who has highlighted countless champions (Kaetlyn Osmond for example, the winner of the team gold medal and the individual bronze medal at the 2018 Olympics) and who created a sensitive and delicate program for Madeline.
The Romanian spectators will be very pleased to see that the wonderful short program is to the music of Eugen Doga's waltz performed by Cătălina Carauș, after she became interested in translating the lyrics into English and questioned if it was something inappropriate for the Romanian community in its choice. It’s for sure more than just the usual, superficial check for decency, it is real interest for meaning and understanding. It is the way she grows up, the way she is educated, with a special respect for authenticity and value, open to others through the multiculturalism of her origins, in full Canadian spirit, weaving an Indian, American, Greek, French tradition; her family, the closest and most admirable "team", Linda Nazareth and Lou Schizas.
Last but not least, it is that great and select “team” of champions, who wrote and continue to shape history, and who challenge generation after generation to dream. At 7 years old, Madeline watched Joannie Rochette skate the programs of her life at the Vancouver Olympics despite the recent and devastating personal tragedy. Now Madeline becomes those she looked up to, a first time Olympian rising to the opportunity to skate the programs of her life for her country, inspiring every young skater that hopes to one day be in her shoes. Perhaps in 12 years time, we hear a mirror of Madeline’s story, a new Olympian, impassioned by those that came before them.
But it is more than just sports, at least for me. Her focused and determined face is the image of the countless young people of her generation who did not let themselves be overwhelmed or discouraged by the difficulties of this time. Who did not let the frustration, demotivation or depression of isolation divert them from their path. They worked with the same tenacity to achieve their goals, they kept their vigour and humour along their journey, and they fill our hearts with the joy of their success and the hope that they will rebuild this cracked world for all of us.
PS On February 14, Madeline Schizas turned 19 years old. Happy birthday, many successes and an accomplished life, beautiful girl!
Comments
Post a Comment