I’m not the parent of an Olympian, like my friend Virginia, but I was so nervous Tuesday night.
A group of friends and supporters of Virginia and her daughter Meryeta took over the Westwood Pub to watch ‘Eta’ race in the women’s snowboard cross event at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.
The excitement in the room was building even before Meryeta made her Olympic debut in the time trials. Everyone there knew of the enormous challenges both mother and daughter have endured and overcome to get to this point. The terrifying fall during a training run at the 2018 Winter Olympics that ended her first Games before they began. The compression spinal fracture the following season, a similar injury my oldest daughter suffered in a childhood car accident. The death of Brandon -- Virginia’s son and Meryeta’s big brother -- from cancer at Rotary Hospice House in Prince George in 2020. The behind-the-scenes battles that led Meryeta to walk away from the national team and train with the B.C. team instead. The endless financial struggles and fundraising efforts so Meryeta could keep racing in World Cup events around the world and keep that Olympic dream alive.
As the Westwood crowd erupted in cheers, Virginia broke down in tears of pride and relief after Meryeta’s strong time trial run, where she recorded the third fastest time in the entire field of 32 women and the fastest time of the four Canadian women. A group of Meryeta’s friends at a nearby table squealed in delight when she Facetimed them from China a short time later.
Virginia took to the mic during the long break while the seeding order for the next races were being decided and explained what would happen next. The athletes went down the course alone during the time trials but in the races to come, they would go down in groups of four, with only the top two moving on to the next races. Virginia also kept everyone entertained (she is a stand-up comedian in her spare time) with some trivia.
How many countries has 24-year-old Meryeta been to? 30.
What sport did Meryeta compete in during the 2012 B.C. Summer Games? Canoe kayak.
How old was Meryeta when she won her first sports trophy? Four (BMX racing).
Meryeta easily won both her first heat and the quarter-final heat, cranking up the tension in the room. With only eight racers left, she was long past “just happy to be here.” She was a legitimate possibility to become the first Prince George resident to ever win an Olympic medal.
The semifinal was a heartstopper, as she came from the back of the pack halfway through the heat to take first and book her spot in the Olympic final, where three of the four racers would take home a medal.
Everyone was nervous now, not just me.
So when it was time for the final, shortly before midnight, I stood next to the big screen, so I could watch the race out of the corner of my eye while also taking some photos of her. The emotions speak for themselves – the deep breath of anticipation as the finalists were introduced, willing Meryeta on as the race got underway, the tears as it became clear that Meryeta was going to medal and then the celebration.
So much hard work and sacrifice and pain for so many years, all made worthwhile in one glorious moment.
