GANGWON, South Korea, Philippines — Sasalang ngayong umaga si speedskater Peter Groseclose sa Fourth Winter Youth Olympic Games dito sa 12,000-seat Gangneung Ice Arena.
Aminado si Groseclose na hindi niya paborito ang lalahukang 1,500-meter short track event.
“To be honest, it is my weakest distance, but I’m not bad at it, I’m more of a sprinter and this is more of an endurance race,” sabi ng 16-anyos na Washington DC-based speedskater. “But I will do my best and I can be competitive.”
Hindi sumama si Groseclose sa parada ng mga atleta sa opening ceremony para paghandaan ang una sa kanyang tatlong events.
Tanging si freestyle skier Laetaz Amihan Rabe ang pumarada bilang flag-bearer ng Pilipinas sa pagbubukas ng torneo na dinaluhan nina Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, secretary-general Atty. Wharton Chan at chef de mission Ada Milby.
Si John-Henry Krueger, kumuha ng speed skating silver para sa US sa Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics, ang gumagabay kay Groseclose.
“Short track is very unpredictable. So as a coach, I want him to focus on every race just one at a time and not thinking too far down the road,” pahayag ni Krueger na mayroon ding mixed team bronze bilang naturalized athlete para sa Hungary noong 2022 edition sa naturang tournament sa Beijing.