12/02/2013
Double gold medal winner Ted Ligety and his two colleagues Resi Stiegler and Mikaela Shiffrin were answering the questions of reporters from all over the world. ICSS reporter Sara-Marie Demiriz was there, too and able to raise a question. Read her story. „When I got into the Wintergarten of Tauernhof where the press conferece was taking place I have to admit I was a little bit nervous. Everyone seemed to be highly offical and were wearing badges. All of the different media branches were there. They were from all over the world. And within all those people, me, simply Sara, with a Wintersportbible in the left, a camera in the right hand and the will to ask a question. Right before raising the question I asked God for peace and a strong voice while raising my question. They are just people, people like you, that was my thought and all of a sudden my hand got up in the air! The next question was mine. I introduced myself and told the audience about the ICSS and the Wintersportbible. The question started with a quote of Gregor Schlierenzauer (a comment which you will find inside the Wintersportbible): 'When you stand up on the podium and hear the national anthem and raise up the trophy you are full of emotion. And after two minutes when you step back down you find yourself in the same mess as everyone else.' I than asked for Ted Ligety’s opinion on that command. „You got the prize you won it, but than? Is after the raise before the raise? What are your feelings? Do you agree with Schlierenzauer?“ Ted had the mic right in his hand, he did not answer he was still thinking, when the chairman of the press conference passed the question to Resi Stiegler. She said that she has been on the podium only once, but it would have been a feeling that would never leave her. I did not get my answer from Ted, but later took the chance to give him the Wintersportbible I carried with me. Within the Bible a little peace of paper translating Georg Schlierenzauer’s quote into English. I told him that as he did not answer my question, he should at least take the Wintersportbible. He took it. And even took it back to his car. I don’t know what he will do with this bible and I might never know it, but I am glad that I took my chance when I got it. I just want to encourage you to do the same. It does not matter if you talking to a sport-star, a rock-star or just to any ‚ordinary’ person, but it does matter if you take your chances. Raise your arm or better your voice whenever you get the chance. God can create big things out of little action! To him nothing is impossible.
