Alexander Rogov a Man of Courage

By Dan Samaria
Publisher/YC
October. 21, 2009

Editor’s Note: There are a lot of God’s special children in this world that you need your help. After reading this article, it doesn’t make you want to get involved we don’t know what would.

We hope you will enjoy the story below:

We would like to know what you think. dan@youngchronicle.com

By Special Olympics
October 19, 2009

Alexander Rogov had to face the reality of not achieving his dream because of an injury at the World Winter Games, but had the courage and spirit to support his teammates.

When Special Olympics Russia’s Alexander Rogov learned he was going to compete as a speed skater in the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games he thought of one thing – winning a medal.

On the first day of preliminaries for the 333-meter speed skating event Rogov fell to the ice on the third and final lap with a tear in his Achilles tendon. He courageously got back to his feet and was able to make it across the finish line, but it would be the last time he would wear his speed skates at these World Games. After traveling from his small town an hour outside of St. Petersburg, all the way to Idaho, his dreams of winning a medal in his first World Winter Games were over – on the eve of his 18th birthday.

“I was very disappointed,” Rogov said through an interpreter. “Winning a medal was the thing I wanted to do the most at the Games.”

As he underwent a successful surgery to repair the tendon, word of Rogov’s story spread throughout the community of athletes, coaches, volunteers and staff at the World Games. By the time he was back in his hotel room recovering, Special Olympics Chairman Timothy Shriver had heard of Rogov’s story and visited him.

He told Shriver that it was difficult to remain in his room while his friends and fellow athletes competed in their own events. “It was very hard not to compete,” said Rogov. “But my teammates were very supportive and gave me updates of how our team did and who won medals.”

“He is a very good teammate, always willing to help out with equipment or whatever was needed,” said Alexey Shumilovsky, a friend and teammate of Rogov. “Our team missed him because he is a very good skater and probably would have won a medal for Special Olympics Russia.”

Shortly before the Closing Ceremony on 13 February, Rogov said he still had not told his family back in Russia about his injury. He thought his older brother and sister and his parents would be sad for him so he wanted to wait until he could tell them in person that he was not able to win a medal, so he can comfort them and tell them it is okay and not to be sad.

“I still had a lot of fun,” he said. “And I’m looking forward to being with my teammates for the Closing Ceremony. But if I had one wish it would be that I was able to win a medal.”

At the Closing Ceremony, Rogov received a big surprise when during his opening remarks, Shriver retold Rogov’s story of determination and courage. He called Rogov out on the stage to stand next to him, and Rogov made his way to the podium on his crutches, his foot in a walking boot. Shriver then told a packed house at the Idaho Centre in Nampa about a young man who traveled so far in hopes of living a dream, only to have to face the reality of not achieving that dream.

“I’ve talked to many skaters who told me that when you have an injury to your Achilles you’re lucky to be strong enough to walk anytime soon,” Shriver said. “Well, Alexander Rogov embodied the Special Olympics spirit of determination to overcome all odds when not only did he get back on his feet after falling, but he finished his race. He crossed the finish line, and while he did not win, he fulfilled the Special Olympics athlete oath by being brave in the attempt.”

Shriver gestured to the crowd, saying, “With all of your approval, what I’d like to do now is award Alex an honorary gold medal for bravery.  What do you think?”

The answer was unanimous as the crowd rose to its feet in booming cheers and thunderous applause and a young man’s dream was realized with a beaming smile and the glimmer of gold.

Source: Special Olympics