Issue link: http://itf.uberflip.com/i/699819
159 I hope I get to tell you one day how it feels to win a gold medal. Right now, I am on that journey and I am not the only one. The Olympic Games are held every four years. For those several weeks, the whole world is united in admiration of the physical and mental ability of athletes. Records are broken, impossible is made to look easy for the spectators. We are all admiring athletes who can work and win on their own, teams who work as one. I think the Olympic Games bring a lot of opportunities to every participant to demonstrate the core values of what makes us human – our imperfections, our strengths, our doubts and weaknesses, our motivation and ability to overcome the fear and pain. Our passion. Our ability to work and adapt to new environments, to appreciate the differences... My biggest gratitude is that I get to be among these athletes, and I happen to do this as a job every day of my life. What makes it even more special is that I get a bigger stage to perform on. I love that. I enjoy it very much. I cannot speak for the others, but I know that I don't view myself differently for winning a medal. My journey to that medal was really adventurous and exhilarating. Every day I learn and experience something new, every stop is important and shapes me into what I am today. I think that competing in the Olympic Games was a very important experience in my life and it definitely gave me the confidence, the boost, and the opportunity to do something bigger than before. I was very disappointed in London and emotionally exhausted. I always put a lot of pressure on myself when I play for my country. I know how much they believe in me and how much they hoped that I will bring a medal to the country. It was very disappointing, but again, a very valuable experience. It is such an honour to be selected to represent your country in the world. There are millions of people who don't get to do that and feel that. And yet, they are also very important because they send you love, cheer for you and suffer with you. All of a sudden, you have a whole country tuning in to watch you play and they all win and lose with you. I am really privileged to be in a position to carry that pressure. I will do my best to make my country proud. In Beijing I was staying at the Olympic Village with all the athletes from all over the world. It was everything I hoped for. I lived the Olympic spirit those ten days. I was at the heart of it. I got to meet athletes from all over the world and live in that atmosphere and absorb the energy. In London, I didn't stay at the Olympic Village but I was honoured by my country to be the flag bearer for the opening ceremony. I will never forget it. I still have goosebumps when I think about it. I was walking in front of the athletes from my country and all I could think was, "I am not dreaming, this is actually happening." I hope I get to tell you one day how it feels to win a gold medal. Right now, I am on that journey and I am not the only one. I am inspired, excited, and ready to put it all out there.