Mexico hasn't had a determine skater compete on the Olympics for the reason that 1992 Winter Video games when Riccardo Olavarrieta and Diana Encinas fought for gold. On Tuesday, Donovan Carrillo ended the nation's dry spell by competing within the males's brief program in Beijing.
"Many individuals informed me through the starting of my profession that this was a loopy dream," Carrillo stated, based on the Olympics web site. "Folks had been at all times laughing or telling me it wasn't potential for a Mexican to qualify."
The 22-year-old determine skater's efficiency on Tuesday certified him to advance to the free skate, which makes him the primary ever determine skater from Mexico to take action, the Olympics web site stated.
His brief program on Tuesday set to the songs "Black Magic Girl" and "Shake It" by Santana received him an total rating of 79.69. In the direction of the tip of his efficiency, Carrillo skated together with his palms over his coronary heart.
"That is for my household and all Mexico," he stated, based on the Olympics web site.
The athlete, born in Zapopan, Jalisco, stated his coaching has been troublesome. Carillo stated his household struggled to pay for his classes and, at occasions, to seek out observe amenities. He's recognized for coaching at a shopping mall rink throughout public classes, the Olympics web site stated.
Carrillo hopes his history-making efficiency on the Olympics encourages different athletes from Mexico.
"My message to the Mexicans who will likely be watching me on the Olympic Video games by means of their screens is that irrespective of the hardships which will current themselves to you, work exhausting and by no means hand over," he stated in Spanish within the Olympic Channel's Winter Tracks video collection.
Carrillo is scheduled to compete Thursday through the males's single free skating competitors, the Olympics web site stated.