Puerto Rico's Aponte to be Caribbean's representative at YOG Gangwon 2024

Salzburg (FIL/3 July 2023) In just 200 days, the Gangwon 2024 Youth Olympic Winter Games will kick off with the luge competitions at the Olympic Sliding Center in PyeongChang 2018.

Isabela Aponte is on track to become the first Caribbean athlete to compete in luge at Asia's first Youth Olympic Winter Games, Gangwon 2024.

The 15-year-old from Puerto Rico, the easternmost island of the Greater Antilles known for its beaches, mangroves and rainforests, can't wait to represent her country.

"It's close to my heart to fly the flag of my island in winter sports, where we are rarely represented," Aponte said.

"Puerto Ricans are usually happy and full of joy. We are not afraid to be ourselves. I am looking forward to bringing all of that to the Youth Olympic Games.

Training and traveling at the highest level

Aponte has come a long way since she first sat on a sled at last year's YOG Special Training Camp in Latvia.

"It was a hard decision to leave my parents, who now live in Fort Myers, Florida, after Hurricane Ian, and my family in Puerto Rico so soon after Hurricane Fiona," she said.

"Fred Zimny - FIL Director of Development - gave me my start in this sport. It was the chance of a lifetime and my father fully supported me - he said: 'Fight yourself to get better every day - that's what life is all about."

"Latvia was an incredible experience - I learned so much in ten days. On my first run on the last day, I set a personal best - I still haven't beaten it!"

Aponte has been training hard to improve her times

"Making YOG 2024 a reality takes sacrifice - I know that," said Aponte. "Traveling for months, being away from my family, switching to full-time online classes at school - it's a challenge, but when you have this love for the sport, I understand why you have to make sacrifices."

"Participating in the Korea Continental Cup in February was incredible - I can't wait to return to this amazing country, track and people. And to see my FIL training friends again!”

"Training with Team USA in Lake Placid was also great. To compete in the women's event - so high up on that famous track - was a dream come true, especially after only being there for a week!"

In July 2023 - 200 days before the start of the Youth Olympic Games in Korea - Isabela Aponte returned to the summer training camp in Lake Placid. There, in addition to athletic fitness, ice start and wheel sled training will be practiced.

"The speed and adrenaline of luge is incredible - I love every aspect of the sport," Aponte said. "The feeling of taking off with your spike gloves on and gaining momentum. Then being on the ice as fast as you can on a sled that can reach speeds of up to 120 km/h (about 75 mph), steering with your legs and your body weight, and hurtling down the track to get the fastest time. I'm so excited for the upcoming season - and to get back on the ice. I have so much to learn and I can't wait to experience it all.