Michael Poettoz: Sport as a saviour in Colombia
In 2018, Michael Poettoz made history by becoming the first male Alpine skier to represent Colombia at the Olympic Winter Games. Four years after competing at PyeongChang 2018, he qualified for Beijing 2022.
In 2018, there was zero enthusiasm for winter sports in Colombia. Nothing. I feel like the country was still discovering something new. But when I qualified for Beijing 2022, it was amazing – I could feel the buzz around me.
The feedback I receive from my home now is incredible. I lost count of how many messages I received and the number of companies contacting me. Colombian winter sports are on a different scale now to 2018. And that’s a great thing.
But it was Olympic Solidarity that helped me get there. I can’t train in my country, so I compete as part of a team in Europe – and this costs a lot. Without this financial support, I wouldn’t be able to do what I love.
What’s really special is how sport can be a saviour for young people in Colombia, where some situations can be very difficult. With funding now available, young people can escape poverty and choosing the wrong path in life by becoming an athlete.