Country still cheers Beijing long shot skier Asa Miller | Inquirer Sports
WINTER GAMES

Country still cheers Beijing long shot skier Asa Miller

/ 04:25 AM February 14, 2022

Asa Miller Beijing Winter Olympics

The Philippines’ Asa Miller checks out the course before the first run in giant slalom on Sunday. Photo from POC

Nobody is expecting him to win a medal, but everybody keeps cheering Asa Miller nonetheless.

That included Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chair Butch Ramirez, who likened the 21-year-old Fil-American to Hidilyn Diaz, who bagged the Philippines’ first and only Olympic gold medal on her fourth attempt.

Article continues after this advertisement

“Hidilyn was only 17—and a wild-card entry—in her first Olympics in Beijing 2008. She returned in London 2012 and won silver in Rio 2016,” Ramirez said. “Finally, after four Olympic cycles and enormous hard work, dedication and love and passion for her sport and the country, she did it in Tokyo.”

FEATURED STORIES

No matter how he placed, Ramirez said the country is behind Miller as he carries solo the country’s colors in the ongoing Winter Olympics in Beijing. Miller was only trying to improve his 70th place finish in the 2018 Pyeongchang Games

Crashing out

The Oregon-based Miller competed on Sunday in the giant slalom, but crashed in the first 20 seconds of his run under falling snow and poor visibility. He will see action again on Wednesday in men’s slalom.

Article continues after this advertisement

“I am confident Asa will be skiing his very best at the Beijing Olympics, knowing fully well that he’s proud to wear the country’s colors on the biggest winter games stage,” Ramirez said.

Article continues after this advertisement

“I watched Hidilyn grow and blossom into an Olympic champion and what I saw in her was her discipline and determination to win,” Ramirez said. “For Asa, I am confident that he will carry the same determination, discipline and focus when he competes against the world’s best.”

Article continues after this advertisement

Ramirez was PSC chair when Diaz first competed in the Olympics. His second term at the agency saw Diaz capturing the silver and eventually the gold in the Games.

Diaz herself joined a squad of Filipino top athletes cheering on Miller.

Article continues after this advertisement

“I know you prepared for this,” said Diaz. “This is the day and good luck.”

Along with Diaz, Tokyo Olympic medalists Nesthy Petecio, Carlo Paalam and Eumir Marcial also threw their support on Miller on the eve of his event.

RELATED STORIES

Coach still proud of Asa Miller despite DNF in giant slalom

Asa Miller capable of landing in top 45, says coach

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

TAGS: Asa Miller, Beijing 2022, Winter Olympics

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.