Asa Miller, the country’s lone Winter Olympic qualifier in the Beijing Winter Games, returned to training at the snowy National Alpine Skiing Centre atop the Xiaohaituo mountain on Saturday morning.
Miller skied at 10 a.m. until 12 noon accompanied by his father Kelly on the giant slalom practice area, showing no sign of slowing down despite the soreness he felt on Friday after three straight days of rigid training since Tuesday morning.
“He [Asa] felt really good today during his return to training. It’s more on slalom training for today,” Philippine Ski and Snowboard Federation (PSSF) President Jim Apelar said on Saturday morning while waiting for the Millers to come out from the wax cabin after their training.
“It’s much better today than yesterday even though he’s a little bit tired.”
The 21-year-old Filipino-American alpine skier said they need to return to the venue and train to familiarize themselves more with the snowy terrain.
He was also impressed with China’s Winter Olympics opening ceremony, saying he is amazed by the program spectacle and the fireworks.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) together with the rest of the delegation headed by Chef de Mission Bones Floro were impressed with the great opening spectacle on Friday night at the Beijing National Stadium.
“It was superb preparation and great opening show,” POC President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said, who went to Zhangjiakou Athletes Village – one of the three main competition zones after Beijing and Yanqing – for a meeting. “We are very thankful to Asa for representing us here.”
The Philippines was at No. 69 in the order of parade among the 91 nations.
“It was spectacular! Beijing 2022 did not disappoint! Although from what my friends have described, it was probably better watching it on television because the temperature must have been comfortable,” Floro, also the chef de mission in the 2020 Winter Youth Olympics in Lausanne, Switzerland, said.
Miller, meanwhile, was honored to have had another chance to carry the flag.
“Last night was amazing, to say the least. There is no other experience like holding to flag and representing 110 million people in front of the world. I’m very proud to have done it again!” he said.
“Another nice part of it being the second time bearing the flag is that I was less nervous and able to take in the experience better.”
The Philippine delegation in the Beijing Winter Olympics is supported by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).
Miller, who will be competing for his second consecutive Winter Olympics after his debut in 2018 Pyeongchang South Korea Games, is scheduled to vie in the men’s giant slalom on February 13 and men’s slalom on February 16.
