you don't parise me
chapter 1
i was shaking, my nerves were jittery and it was cold but i was sweating. i was in first place after finishing my final round in the women’s halfpipe at the Olympics here in Sochi, Russia. i knew i was getting a medal, i just wasn’t sure which one. there will still two more finalists to go; 1 from Canada and the other from Switzerland. i stood by my coach, afraid to move and anxiously waiting for the judges results. i had won the silver medal in women’s slopestyle the week before, but the halfpipe was one of my favorites. “AND, THE GOLD MEDAL IN WOMEN’S HALFPIPE GOES TO…..” there was a pause. when finally, i heard my name come over the speakers. “LYNDSEY ADAMS OF THE USA!!!!!” the announcer screamed. that’s it, i’ve done it. i got the gold medal! “OH MY GOSH, I DID IT!” i yelled as i hugged my coach, mom, daughter and best friend, who came here with me to watch. tears were running down my face from the excitement and shock. the news reporter came over to me and started asking questions.
reporter: congratulations, Lyndsey. i understand that this is your fifth gold medal in this event. people are saying that you’re the female version of shawn white. How does that make you feel?
me: yes, this is my fifth gold medal in this event. honestly i knew i was in the running for a medal, but not a gold. there’s a lot of great women who competed here tonight. it was close. people saying that i’m the female version of white? *laughs* he’s a rad guy and an incredible snowboarder but i never saw myself being as good as him.
reporter: is there anything you would like to say to your young fans?
me: never give up your dreams, work hard and continue to push yourself. being good doesn’t come over night, if you really want something, you have to practice. It takes time and eventually you’ll get where you want to be.
reporter: i understand that your dad couldn’t be here tonight due to being deployed with the army. anything you would like to say to him?
me: dad, if you’re watching this, i miss you and love you. be safe over there. (i tried holding back my tears) and i want to dedicate this medal to all the men and women in our military, past and present. thank you for your service. GO USA!!!!!
and, with that, i held up the American flag that was wrapped around me as everyone in the crowd chanted, USA! USA! USA! i hugged my mom and daughter one last time, told them that i would see them at the ceremony and dinner, then went with my coach.
it was 9PM, we had just finished eating dinner and now it was time for the ceremony to start. i grew more and more nervous as the night went on. they announced the winners for figure skating, bobsleigh and slalom; the medals for men and women’s halfpipe were next. the winners for men’s halfpipe were as follows: USA - shawn white (gold), Russia - nikita avtaneev (silver), and Switzerland - david habluetzel (bronze). the national antham had just finished and it was mine turn up on the podium; the other two girls and i made our way up to the stage. my heart beating thousand times per minute. yes, i won medals in the past, especially gold but this time it felt different, like it actually meant something. “Ladies and gentlemen, here are your 2014 sochi medalists for women’s halfpipe!” the announcer announced. “gold medalist, Lyndsey Adams!” i kneeled down as i received the metal. “silver medalist, ursina haller!” the Switzerland competitor received her medal. “and, bronze metalist, katie tsuyuki!” the Canadian competitor was the last to receive a medal as America’s national anthem started to play. i mouthed it word for word looking at our country’s flag being raised; i couldn’t help but tear up thinking about my dad and my ex-boyfriend, Nick.
as the ceremony ended, it was nearing 10:30 at night and i was getting sleepy. i had a busy rest of the week still ahead of me, the finals for men’s ice hockey were tomorrow. chloe and i had passes to attend, because we both loved the sport. i said good-bye to my mom and coach, since i decided to go celebrate for a few hours; chloe was already back at the hotel we were staying at. i had a good time at the sports bar on Olympic park premises, but it was getting late and i had to be up early. i looked at the clock, 1:45am, it read. i said my good-byes and left, but as i was walking back to my room i ran into someone and fell. “oh my gosh, i’m so sorry!” i heard as i got up. i brushed some of the dirt off of me and looked up. “uhh, it’s okay. i fall a lot, so it’s no biggie.” i said to the gentleman, who seemed to be in a sailor’s uniform holding a bouquet of roses. “umm, yeah, but i’m still sorry.” he replied with a smile. “oh, since you’re here, do you mind telling me where room B173 is?” he asked. i thought for a minute, wait… that was me and chloe’s room. did chloe have a boyfriend she didn’t tell me about or was this guy here to see me? “yeah, but may i ask you why you’re here?” i questioned. “my girlfriend, well, my ex-girlfriend is here for snowboarding and i wanted to surprise her. i’m only here for the night, cuz i’m shipping back to base tomorrow.” he explained. i thought to myself for a minute, nick…
