YANQING, China – Asa Miller’s second straight duty as the country’s flag bearer in the greatest winter sporting show on earth lifted his spirit high and eventually returned to training after taking the Friday off.
The 21-year-old Filipino-American alpine skier from Portland Oregon woke up early together with his father Kelly and went immediately atop the National Alpine Skiing Centre to prepare his skis for his second day of slalom training.
Why? Asa had a great day last night.
“Last night was amazing to say the least. There are no other [best] experience like holding to flag and representing 110 million people in front of the world. I’m very proud to have done it again,” Miller told BUSINESSMIRROR on Saturday after coming out from the wax cabin.
“Another nice part of it being the second time bearing the flag is that I was less nervous and able to take in the experience better.”
Miller skied at 10 in the morning until 12 noon accompanied by his dad Kelly and showed no sign of slowing down despite some soreness last Friday due to his non-stop rigid training for three straight days since Tuesday morning.
“He [Asa] felt really good today during his return to training. It’s more on slalom training for today,” Philippine Ski and Snowboard Federation (PSSF) President Jim Apelar said while waiting for the Millers.
“It’s much better today than yesterday even though he’s a little bit tired.”
Miller said they need to return to the venue and train to familiarize more with the snowy terrain.
Meanwhile, Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) together with the rest of the delegation headed by Chef de Mission Bones Floro were impressed with the great opening spectacle on Friday night at the Beijing National Stadium or Bird’s Nest.
“It was superb preparation and great opening show,” POC President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said, who went to Zhangjiakou Athletes Village – one of the three main competition zones after Beijing and Yanqing – for a meeting on Saturday. “We are very thankful to Asa for representing us here.”
Philippines was at No. 69 in the order of parade among the 91 nations.
“It was spectacular! Beijing 2022 did not disappoint! Although from what my friends have described, it was probably better watching it on television because the temperature must have been comfortable,” Floro, also the chef de mission in the 2020 Winter Youth Olympics in Lausanne, Switzerland, said.
The Philippine delegation in the Beijing Winter Olympics is supported by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).
Miller, who will be competing for his second consecutive Winter Olympics after his debut in 2018 Pyeongchang South Korea Games, is scheduled to vie in the men’s giant slalom on February 13 and men’s slalom on February 16.