I don’t know how many if you saw the Opening Ceremonies last Friday. I enjoyed watching it with my family and remembering my own trip to Russia fourteen years ago. I appreciated the emotion with which each athlete entered the stadium and the years of work represented by just being able to represent their country as an Olympian. You could see the pride on their faces to represent their country, but none showed the level of emotion and excitement as the only Venezuelan athlete that came in.
Antonio José Pardo Andretta is the only Venezuelan representing his country in the Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia, in 2014. He is 43 years old and he began skiing competitively in 2011, after losing his job and being inspired by the Winter Olympics in Toronto, Canada, in 2010.
I was impressed by his enthusiasm – he was almost dancing as he lifted the Venezuela flag, full of anticipation and joy. He began working to fulfill his dream at the age of 40.
What dream would you love to realize if age didn’t matter?