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Athlete Role Model Haralds Silovs (LAT), in green, at the medal ceremony of the Speed Skating Men’s 1500m at the Gangneung Oval. @OIS/Chloe Knott

Athlete Role Model Silovs hopes to inspire young skaters to focus on self-belief and have fun in their junior careers

With some of the volunteers already starting to take down all Youth Olympic Games (YOG) branding at the Gangneung Oval, Athlete Role Model Haralds Silovs (LAT) decided to pick up his skates and step on the ice one last time as the Speed Skating competition at Gangwon 2024 came to an end on Friday.

“They might close this rink after the YOG. So let’s have a little bit of fun,” Silovs said as he made his way to the rink.

Silovs, a four-time Olympian, could be seen during the Speed Skating competition helping out in the equipment room, sharpening blades and talking about technique, or handing out mascots during the medal ceremony. He was also at the Oval to guide the next generation through an experience like the YOG.

In his role as an Athlete Role Model, Silovs has been using his knowledge to offer support and advice to young skaters at Gangwon 2024.

“A lot of skaters are so nervous before the race. When they know that it’s not just them going through all these emotions, it helps them a lot”, Silovs said when asked about his experiences on Thursday, a day before the end of the competition.

 

“I know exactly what they’re feeling. So I talk to them, share my experiences and hopefully it’ll make them feel more comfortable.”

 

"It’s great to be here and get to relive the Olympics, but without the focus of racing and having this very strict regime. I can be more relaxed now and really be part of the Olympic buzz."   

History-maker at the Games

Silovs made history when he became the first athlete to participate in two different disciplines on the same day during the Olympic Winter Games Vancouver 2010, racing for Latvia in the Men’s Speed Skating 5000m and in the Men’s Short Track 1500m.

Silovs competed in four consecutive Olympic Winter Games, from Vancouver 2010 to Beijing 2022, before hanging up his skates and throwing himself into his next pursuit as a coach.

Reflecting on his Olympic journey without any YOG appearances, Silovs recognizes the value it could have added to his personal development as a young skater.

“I'd have loved to compete in the YOG as well. It gives you a taste of what it’s like to compete at the Olympic Games. It’s a great way to see how you cope with the nerves and how you compare to the rest of the world," Silovs said.

 

"For many of the young skaters competing here in Gangwon, this experience is entirely new. It's fantastic that they can learn from such a big event at a young age. And it’s also as a great motivator for them to continue pursuing the Olympic Games."

Gold medalist Finn Sonnekalb (GER), silver medalist Pan Baoshuo (CHN) and bronze medalist Eirik Andersen (NOR) take a selfie on the podium
during the Medal Ceremony of the Speed Skating Men’s Mass Start at the Gangneung Oval. @OIS/Bob Martin

The importance of self-belief

Silovs is a two-time ISU European Short Track champion, but most of the skaters don't get to reach the top step of the podium in their career. Silovs believes understanding this is critical, especially for young athletes.

“It should still be all about development at this age. They also need to grow as individuals. If too much focus is placed on winning medals and not on personal growth, it can be counterproductive. It's important have fun as well,” Silovs said.

 

“If you’re happy with how you approached the YOG, stuck to the plan, and executed it well, then there’s absolutely nothing to be sad about, even if you don’t win any medals. You just need to continue to believe in yourself.”

 

“It’s a privilege to compete here. The athletes are already special just by being here and experiencing all of this. That’s something they shouldn’t take for granted. I really try to get them to understand this when I talk to the skaters.”

Angel Daleman (NED) leads the field in the Speed Skating Women’s Mass Start Semifinal 1 at the Gangneung Oval. @OIS/Thomas Lovelock

In his role as an Athlete Role Model and coach, Silovs also emphasizes the importance of personal values and being patient when it comes to professional development.

“The results are like a mirror. They confirm if we are good enough or not. But they don’t show the whole picture. I really want these skaters to learn about values as well. That’s the most important thing to me. The values you learn here will last forever,” Silovs said.

 

“I talk about perseverance, work ethic, focus, and respect. If you do the best you can with the things you can control, I can’t ask for anything more from the skaters."

 

“You can be in the spotlight today and out tomorrow. If you know what is important to you, you can cope with setbacks much better throughout your career and life. There’s so much more to focus on than just winning."

You can watch the live stream of the competitions at Gangwon 2024 here.