To date, Norway leads the Medal Count, with 6 medals; 2 golds, 1 silver and 2 bronzes in the Sochi Winter Olympics 2014. The lone Filipino entry, Michael Christian Martinez, will start competing on February 13.
Medal Count, Sochi Winter Olympics, Image credit: sochi2014.com
Michael Christian Martinez is the first Filipino athlete to participate in Figure Skating in the Winter Olympics. Reportedly, the 17-year old figure skater was born with asthma, but this did not stop him from following his dream of winning an Olympic medal.
Michael Christian Martinez, Image credit: official account Facebook
His hero is boxing superstar Manny Pacquaio, and according to him, his slogan is:
“Dream high and work hard.“
Michael Christian Martinez was ranked 5 in the men’s World Junior Championships held in Milan, Italy in 2013. Currently, he ranks 30 in the men ISU World Standings, as of 03 Feb 2014.
News reports disclosed that although the Philippine government fully expresses its support, Martinez got very little financial help. He disclosed that his mother has to put their house on mortgage to support his training.
Meanwhile, medal count results in the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics reveal that Netherlands is in second place with 4 medals; 2 gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze. The USA and Canada are third with 3 medals each; 2 golds and 1 bronze; 1 gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze, respectively. Austria and Slovakia rank 4th and 5th , respectively.
Below is Michael Christian Martinez Figure Skating in 2013.
