South Africa’s Lone Olympian
One of the most enduring qualities of the Olympics the idea that anyone who is passionate and dedicated enough to a sport may compete on an international level against competitors from around the globe. This is the case for South African alpine skier Connor Wilson. Wilson, who is ranked 54th in the giant slalom and 71st in the slalom by the International Ski Federation, was chosen over Sive Speelman to be the lone representative for South Africa at this year’s Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang.
Being the only athlete chosen to represent one’s country is no doubt a very daunting thought, however it is an accomplishment worthy of much respect. Wilson was chosen over Speelman, who would have been the first black skier to participate in the Olympics from South Africa. The choice to send Wilson can be seen as harmless enough, as he was the higher ranked competitor, however, sending Speelman would have made a statement for South Africa in regards to the diversity that could have been achieved for the team.
Working towards qualifying for the Olympics is no easy task, however, Wilson has managed to do so, and done well enough to be noticed by the International Olympic Committee, who allocated a single entry for South Africa. The idea of an Olympic level competitor in skiing coming from a traditionally very dry country is almost unheard of. “Coming from a dry country like South Africa with extremely limited winter sport conditions, our teams to winter sports have traditionally always been small,” SASCOC president Gideon Sam said. “But, as we do in all our myriad sports, snow sports are still an important part of the sporting family.” SASCOC (South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee) has wished Connor all the best of luck and has high hopes for his achievement at the games in Pyeongchang.
Wilson, who was chosen as South Africa’s flag bearer for the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics, has been training in both South Africa and the United States. The Afriski Mountain Resort in Lesotho has been his training destination while in South Africa, and while studying at the University of Vermont, he trains at the nearby Mount Mansfield Ski Club. The 21-year-old wishes to graduate with a degree in Veterinary Science from the university, although it is unclear if he will continue to pursue Olympic skiing once his education is complete.
Though Connor Wilson is not picked to be a powerhouse, his participation proves that even the smallest of nations may take part in what is the world’s greatest international sporting event. The Olympics started this year on the ninth of February and will proceed until the twenty fifth. A total of 92 nations will compete in a total of 102 events, spread over seven sports disciplines. The Olympics draws crowds of thousands of fans who have traveled from far and wide to look on as their own fellow citizens rise to compete in some of the most rigorous sporting events that can be witnessed firsthand. The Olympics have never failed to entertain, and they certainly never will.
