She finished last in women’s cross-country, but got the biggest cheer
Regina Martinez was met by one of the loudest ovations at the finish of the women’s 10-kilometre interval start free race yesterday — despite finishing last.
The 33-year-old ER doctor in Miami is the first woman to represent Mexico in cross-country skiing.
She was more than 11 minutes behind the winner’s timer, but she received a warm reception.
Martinez was first embraced by Brazil’s Bruna Moura, then by Thursday’s winner, Frida Karlsson of Sweden, and her teammate and silver medallist Ebba Andersson. Next, by American Jessie Diggins, who finished third.
Martinez took up cross-country skiing while studying medicine in Minnesota.
“I found this sport when I needed it most. It gave me an escape, a way to be outside, to move, to enjoy nature. As demanding as it is, you stop feeling the cold very quickly. You’re surrounded by incredible landscapes,” she told Reuters in an interview ahead of the Games.
“I realized I love challenges and working toward something every day. Then I started asking myself: how many Mexicans have competed in the Winter Olympics and how many women? That’s when I realized how rare it is, that’s why I’m here today.”
Yesterday she competed on the world stage against the Nordic powerhouses with a fraction of their resources.
Source link
