Gangwon 2024 milestone: Isabela Aponte becomes the first Puerto Rican athlete at winter Youth Olympics

16-year-old Aponte became the first athlete to represent Puerto Rico in a Winter Youth Olympic Games (YOG) by competing in the women's luge event on Saturday 20 January at Gangwon 2024. 

2 minBy Chloe Merrell
Isabela Aponte PUR at the start of the Luge Women's Singles Run 1 at the Alpensia Sliding Centre

(OIS/IOC)

From the Welli Hilli Park Ski Resort to the Gangneung Ice Centre, day one of the Winter Youth Olympic Games (YOG) Gangwon 2024 saw non-stop, medal-winning action.

But, more than that, it also saw history be written.

16-year-old Isabela Aponte became the first-ever athlete to represent the Caribbean island of Puerto Rico in a Winter YOG after competing in the women’s luge event.

Sliding over the line in 30th place, Aponte relished her moment in the spotlight as a trailblazer for her country.

However, for the Puerto Rican teen, it has been as much about the journey as the destination.

"It all started a year and a half ago when a friend of my dad's, who was a former Olympic coach from Puerto Rico. He asked him if I was interested in attending the luge camp in Latvia to try the sport. I went, and I loved it," Aponte told Olympics.com in an interview at the Opening Ceremony.

"My parents are from two very different cultures. My father is Puerto Rican and my mother is Iranian. Being born and raised in a multicultural family, I have learned many languages. I love travelling and meeting people from many parts of the world. That's also why luge caught my attention. As a child, I played tennis and karate. But none of these sports have caught my attention as much as luge."

Aponte's short but frenetic journey in the adrenaline-filled world of luge has seen her trek the world. Austria, Germany and Latvia have all been stamped on Aponte's passport and so now, has the Republic of Korea. 

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