Despite the news of the terrible conditions coming out of Sochi, Russia, that has filled news outlets all week, Sage Kotsenburg drew coverage back to what was supposed to be the main point of the Winter Olympics – athletic spectacle.
The 20-year-old Utah native brought in the United States’ first gold medal Saturday in the inaugural slopestyle event. Kotsenburg dubbed his medal-winning trick the “Holy Crail,” which is officially called a “1620 Japan Airmute Grab.”
During the jump, Kotsenburg shot himself into the air performing a helicopter twirl that rotated for four-and-a-half rotations. He then finished the move by grabbing the back of his board and flexing his legs.
Kotsenburg landed the jump, cleanly receiving a winning score of 93.5, which none of the other competitors in the 12-man finalists could top. Kotsenburg secured the first gold medal for the U.S. with a well-performed trick, but more importantly, he brought focus back to the events.
News outlets have focused the past week on the horrible conditions athletes and journalists have been exposed to in Sochi. Angry journalists have taken to news outlets to voice their displeasure with the housing conditions of the hotels they’re staying in.
Johnny Quinn, an American bobsledder, made the rounds on Twitter after having to break through a locked bathroom door. Many have complained about the drinking water being unhygienic and discolored.
Kotsenburg did something phenomenal in that he gave fans a chance to cheer and clamor. Despite the conditions mentioned above, Kotsenburg brought back the sense of glee and excitement of watching the best athletes around the world compete with their hopes on bringing glory to their countries.
Maybe this is the lesson many people can learn from the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi: Despite horrible conditions and circumstances, people can still find an opportunity to do something extraordinary and spectacular. For a moment as Kotsenburg rotated effortlessly above the snow, Sochi’s poor conditions and the outrage of many people faded away. For a moment, all that mattered was the pursuit of Olympic gold.
Whether this is what people will remember when they reflect back on the 2014 Winter Olympics is another story, but for a moment, the United States cheered on its victor as he brought them their first gold medal. Kotsenburg brought the focus back on the purpose of the Olympics, even if only for a moment.
