American curler Rich Ruohonen has etched his name into the history books, becoming the United States' oldest Winter Olympian at 54 years old. This historic moment unfolded during Thursday's curling match, where the USA faced an 8-3 defeat against Switzerland at the Winter Olympics.
A Dream Realised After Decades of Pursuit
As an alternate for the team, Ruohonen was introduced into the game by skip Danny Casper once victory became unattainable. His inaugural shot, a corner guard, was met with thunderous applause and chants of "go Richie" from American supporters in the stands. An emotional Ruohonen reflected on the occasion, stating: "It's awesome. It's hard to do it in that situation when we're getting beat. I would have rather done it when we were up 8-2 instead of down 8-2. I really appreciate the guys giving me a chance."
Overcoming Heartbreak to Achieve Olympic Glory
This Olympic debut represents the culmination of a remarkable 38-year journey. Ruohonen first attempted to qualify for the Games in 1988 when curling was merely a trial sport. He revealed: "In the last 25, I've narrowly missed the Olympics numerous times, including four years ago. I was on the last shot to go to the Olympics in mixed doubles, and my men's team finished third. I've had so much heartbreak." Despite the team's loss, he added: "It was an awesome moment for me even in a loss. I can't believe the dream came true. My family was there and they were screaming and yelling."
Surpassing Previous Records and Making Headlines
According to Olympics statistics website Olympedia, Ruohonen now holds the distinction of being USA's oldest Winter Olympian, surpassing figure skater Joseph Savage, who was 52 when he competed at the 1932 Games in Lake Placid, New York. Notably, Scott Baird, an alternate for the US men's curling team at the 2006 Olympics, was also 54 but did not feature in any matches, making Ruohonen's active participation particularly significant.
Team Morale Boosted by Historic Debut
Skip Danny Casper, 24, commented that witnessing Ruohonen's debut had positively impacted the team's spirit. "It was easy to get him out there. We're not doing him any favours by putting him in. We're watching a guy do something that he's worked for and has properly earned," he said. Casper also acknowledged the team's ongoing challenges: "We haven't really played super great so far. We still have to figure out some stuff with the ice."
Controversy and Achievement Intertwined
The personal injury lawyer from Minnesota has recently garnered attention beyond the rink. Earlier this week, Ruohonen criticized the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in his home state, adding a layer of public discourse to his athletic narrative. This blend of sporting achievement and social commentary underscores a multifaceted Olympic story, where perseverance and personal conviction converge on the world stage.
