What Michael Christian Martinez means for us

Michael Christian Martinez’s breakthrough to the Winter Olympics in Sochi is of such great significance to Philippine sports that it does not really matter how far he goes. Realistically, without any previous international titles and minus a few significant components to his routine such as a quadruple jump which separates the good from the great, he will likely not medal. But let’s remember that Michael is technically still a junior skater who has just qualified for his first Olympics against all odds.

There has been much comparison made between Martinez and the Jamaican bobsled team which qualified for the 1988 Winter Games in Calgary. That team eventually finished in 14th place – ahead of the US – in 1994 after the Winter Olympics schedule was adjusted so as mot to coincide with the Summer Games. But that team, fictionalized in the late comedian John Candy’s last movie “Cool Runnings” begged and borrowed even spare sleds from other countries at the Winter Olympics themselves.

In the case of Martinez, there are several reminders that we can draw inspiration from.

First, that nothing is impossible. There are so many reasons why he shouldn’t have made it in the first place, and the odds are really against Martinez to begin with. But look at what he has accomplished. He has overcome inadequate support, lack of media attention and even bouts of loneliness and injury to suddenly grab headlines around the world. He is in Sochi as an equal to the greatest athletes in the world, as a teenager. Most of all, he has inspired millions on his own country.

Second, you need to be among the best to be the best. The most significant costs for an already expensive sport like skating are travel and coaching. Nothing comes cheap. Even our own national team has to cut down on travel for coaches simply for sustainability. Parents of skaters have to weigh in heavily or their will get nowhere. But you have to travel to Europe to qualify for the bigger events, and get coaching from past champions and their mentors. And that is not cheap.

Third, you have to have your own strategy. In a sport where the US is not a traditional power, Martinez has proven that daring is its own reward. His routine emphasizes the artistic side of skating, which many more powerfully built, older skaters do not place as much importance on. However, as proven by Nancy Kerrigan and other great skaters, having a stronger artistic foundation pays off. Though she never won an Olympic gold medal, she was a consistent medalist and US champion. In the event of a tie, the artistic score is what usually makes a difference.

Fourth, grit it out. Figure skating is brutal on the joints of the leg. Michael has been injured at least four time on record, but has managed to recover very well.

According to the  website of the XXII Winter Olympic Games, the young asthmatic was cut in the thigh by a skate blade in 2009, tore two ligaments in his ankle in 2011, tore the medial collateral ligament in his knee in 2012, and fractured his ankle last year. All in all, those injuries set him back a year. And yet, there he is in Sochi.

The Philippine Skating Union was in the headlines five months ago, when this writer revealed the plight of two-time national champion Melissa Bulanhagui, who could have qualified for Sochi alongside Martinez had she been allowed to go to the Nebelhorn Trophy, the final qualifier for Sochi in Europe. Since her pleading her case, Bulanhagui has been on the PhSU’s bad side, and has been punished severely. The punishment for “putting the national sports association on a bad light” included a ban which prevented her from defending her national title. Luckily, Martinez had no such problem, or very few of us would have a reason to be watching the Winter Olympics now. 

To its credit, the PhSU has supported Martinez, and catapulted the sport to the front of mind of a nation hungry for heroes. What Michael Christian Martinez means to us is another breakthrough, another reason to celebrate, another example of selfless sacrifice worth emulating. Perhaps now our legislators will hasten the passing of Sen. Antonio Trillanes’ bill proposing a Department of Sports with its own budget, so that our athletes will never have to beg or borrow to follow their passion and bring us honor.

Maybe come the XXIII Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea, Michael will have created enough buzz that there will be a full-blown Team Philippines alongside him at the opening parade. That will be his next legacy to Philippine sports.

Here’s hoping.