A chance, an opportunity

The story of Michael Christian Martinez is one worthy of Hollywood. Who would have imagined an ice figure skater coming from the world of hot, humid summers and typhoon-battered islands of Southeast Asia, whose people have never experienced snow or ice? It brings to mind the story of the Jamaican bobsled team, who were initially ridiculed for even trying to get into the sport, taking into consideration, the geographical location of their home country. It has been turned into a movie, "Cool Runnings." Sure, there were some artistic licenses given, but the gist of the story is there. To this day, they continue to compete in the Winter Olympics.

Martinez's journey to Sochi, Russia began with him seeing how nice it must be to glide through the ice. He saw how children seemed to be having fun skating in the only rink in the country. At the behest of his mother, he rented ice skates and played. But then, his love of the sport took a more serious turn. He was watching others perform tricks and stunts on the ice, later finding out that there were local competitions for figure skating. He was hooked. He practiced whenever he could, winning and losing at local events. But his skills did not escape the eye of an American, who said he had potential to become a good figure skater. He was advised to train in America where the sport is as popular as basketball. Of course, finances were an issue, and his family just did what they could. There were no sponsors, there was no government support then, since he was virtually unknown and let's face it, an ice figure skater from the Philippines?

But after all the sacrifices made, according to his mother, seeing his son carrying the Philippine flag as athletes from all over the world marched into the stadium at Sochi, Russia were well worth it. Martinez is the first athlete from the Philippines, from Southeast Asia, to compete in a Winter Olympics. History has been made, and their family was very much a part of it. As the competitions ensued, Martinez did not disappoint. In fact, he impressed everyone. Both athletes, event coordinators and even the commentators were amazed by what this Filipino could do. Some of the hardest maneuvers in ice skating were nailed by Martinez, causing him to advance. Quite an achievement. Especially taking into consideration his hard, humble beginnings.

He may not have won a medal, nor finished in the top twenty, but to Martinez, his family and in fact the whole country, he is a champion. He is "Rocky", he is "Atom".

Martinez is now getting all the attention he initially wished for. Sponsors, full government backing, and hopefully, much better training. He has his eyes set on 2018, where the next Winter Olympics takes place in South Korea. Who would have really imagined, that the possibility of the country's first ever Olympic gold medal, would be won on a frozen landscape! The saying that if you put your heart into, it, you can achieve wonders, is absolutely true.

A chance, an opportunity, was all he needed.