Gangwon 2024 Winter Youth Olympics: Paul Tergat, Kenyan marathon icon, lauds history-making alpine skier Issa Laborde
The two-time Olympic medallist from Kenya met the young skier after the 17-year-old made history for the East African country at the Gangwon 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games: "He's written history, for us anything else is a plus."
Alpine Skiing
Former marathon world record holder and two-time Olympic medallist Paul Tergat praised alpine skier Issa Laborde for making history for Kenya.
The 17-year-old Laborde became the first male athlete to represent the East African country in the sport at the Winter Youth Olympic Games when he raced in the Super G event at Gangwon 2024 on Monday (21 January).
Before him, Sabrina Simader competed for Kenya at the 2016 Winter Youth Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway, and two years later she made her debut at the Winter Games at PyeongChang 2018.
"I just wanted to say that we are very proud of Issa, he has made us very proud," said Tergat.
Kenya's National Olympic Committee president met Laborde on Tuesday (22 January), following the men's combined alpine event, where the teen skier finished in 35th position:
"He's written history, for us anything else is a plus. We are very proud of his performance so far," added Tergat.
The athletics legend posed for a picture with Issa and his parents, while they were holding a Kenyan flag.
"Meeting Paul at the bottom of the track was really cool. It made me happy. He gave me some advice and we spoke at lunch for a while. It's really been a nice moment," Laborde commented, mentioning that he previously met the IOC member last summer during a training camp part of the PyeongChang Legacy activities.
Laborde will again be in action on Thursday 24 and Friday 25 January for the men's giant slalom and slalom, respectively: "We are very excited," concluded Tergat.