Mexico’s delegation for the upcoming Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo is notably small, consisting of only five athletes. The unique participation of a mother-son team within this group adds to the significance of this event for the nation.
Historic Winter Olympics Debut for Mexican Athletes
Sarah Schleper de Gaxiola is a notable figure, having previously competed in the Olympics in 2006 and 2010 as a skier for the United States. During her first appearance in Turin, Italy, she achieved a commendable tenth place in both the slalom and giant slalom events. Now at 46 years old, she returns to the Olympic stage two decades later.
Introducing Lasse Schleper
In a remarkable twist, Sarah’s son, Lasse Schleper, will also make his Olympic debut at the age of 17. He was not yet born when Sarah first participated in the Games. Their family’s bond with skiing has been strong since Lasse’s childhood.
- Sarah drove her son to skiing from an early age.
- In a World Cup event in 2011, she famously crossed the finish line holding three-year-old Lasse.
Reflecting on the journey, Sarah conveyed her excitement: “It’s very thrilling, and it has been our life. We always believed this could happen, and now seeing it come to fruition is hard to comprehend.”
Breaking Ground at the Olympics
The mother-son duo stands out as the first of its kind in the history of the Winter Olympics. Despite the odds against them in terms of medal chances, they exemplify the Olympic spirit of participation. As Sarah optimistically stated, “We will appreciate this experience even more during the Games and think, wow, we did it.”
Ultimately, their presence at the Winter Olympics underscores a significant milestone for winter sports in Mexico.
