Philippines hopes to inspire youth to winter sports via Beijing 2022

Skye Frances Patenia performs during the virtual send-off to the Philippine Olympic delegation for the upcoming 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics in Pasay City, the Philippines on Jan. 22, 2022. (Xinhua/Rouelle Umali)

Alpine skier Asa Miller, the only Filipino to compete at the Beijing Winter Olympics, voices hope to inspire the youth to pick up winter sports and represent the Philippines on the world stage.

MANILA, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- Philippine Alpine skier Asa Miller, 21, the only winter athlete from the country to compete in the upcoming Beijing Winter Olympics, hopes to inspire young Filipinos to join winter sports.

"I hope my journey serves as inspiration for other people to want to represent the Philippines on the world stage," Miller said on Saturday in a video message to the virtual send-off to the Philippine Olympic delegation, expressing hope that his country "could see more Filipino representation in the future."

"I can't wait to show off and represent the Philippines at the Games. I want to show my improvement and improve my placement in the upcoming Games compared to how I did in 2018," he said.

Charmaine Skye Chua poses with the mascot Bing Dwen Dwen during the virtual send-off to the Philippine Olympic delegation for the upcoming 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics in Pasay City, the Philippines on Jan. 22, 2022. (Xinhua/Rouelle Umali)

As the sole Filipino athlete competing in Beijing, Miller will carry the Philippine flag at the opening ceremony on February 4. He will be competing in both the giant slalom and slalom from February 14.

Valeriano Floro, chef de mission of the Philippine delegation for Beijing Winter Olympics, lauded and thanked China for its "courage and generosity" to host the "momentous event" amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We may only have one athlete this time, but an already huge win here is how Miller is inspiring others also to achieve his level of Olympianism," Floro said. "We're very happy that we are part of the Olympics in Beijing and we are confident that many more Olympians are coming soon."

Ice skaters pose with mascots Bing Dwen Dwen and Shuey Rhon Rhon during the virtual send-off to the Philippine Olympic delegation for the upcoming 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics in Pasay City, the Philippines on Jan. 22, 2022. (Xinhua/Rouelle Umali)

Charmaine Chua, 18, who has been training for figure skating for ten years, expects to someday represent her country in international competitions. "I hope that one day I could compete in Olympics, but it takes really tough process and hard training to get there," she said.

China's Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian said the upcoming Olympic Games "symbolize unity and friendship" with the mission "to make the world a better place through sports."

"The Beijing Winter Olympics is not only a grand event for athletes and sports fans but also an opportunity to promote understanding and friendship for people all over the world. Together for a shared future, let us show the world our inspiration and determination of solidarity and cooperation," Huang said in his remarks at the ceremony.

"The Beijing Winter Olympics and the Paralympics teams are calling for people of all countries to transcend differences, come together under the banner of the Olympics and join hands to address global challenges such as COVID-19 and climate change and build a better world after the pandemic," Huang added.