Watch This 34-Year-Old Athlete Win Her First Olympic Gold Medal at Her Fifth Time at the Olympics
It was the performance of a lifetime. The technical part set a new world record, while the artistic performance left the crowd both breathless and rabid with cheer. At the end, the figure skating pair fell to the ground.
This was Aljona Savchenko's and Bruno Massot's moment as gold medalists in pairs figure skating. And while outstanding performances are expected at the Olympics, this one in particular was special because of Savchenko's backstory. At 34 years old, she had already been to the Olympics five times and still hadn't snagged the Olympic gold medal she had dreamed of her whole life.
Originally from Ukraine, Savchenko had won Olympic bronze medals and plenty of gold accolades at world competitions, but she still dreamed of that one ultimate achievement.
However, after Sochi 2014, the chase had started getting the best of her, and she decided to step back. After all, at 30 years old, she had accumulated a bevy of medals and a track record of several Olympic performances.
But that year, the figure skater paired up with French-born Massot. It was instant chemistry. From its very first performances representing Germany, the pair established a connection and an understanding as natural as if they had skated together their whole lives. The new parternship revived Savchenko's hopes to snag the coveted gold medal at PyeongChang 2018.
Then came the short program at PyeongChang, and all seemed lost. Bruno missed one of his jumps, which cost the duo a lot of points. But Aliona continued to believe in her dream. She encouraged her partner, even though at that point the team needed a miraculous recovery to make Savchenko's lifelong dream come true. I said to Bruno: 'We will write history today.' And then everything happened as I had imagined, and it came true," she told CNBC.
Watch more touching moments of the duo's Olympic journey below, and let Savchenko's faith and perseverance inspire you to never give up on your own dreams.
Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.