2016 Youth Olympics Blog #7 by Chloe Lewis

Today was another perfect day in Norway, but was also the first day that we didn’t skate. As I said earlier, the team event was done by a draw, and we weren’t drawn. Although it’s a bummer to not be participating in that awesome event, we’re excited to enjoy the rest of the week without the added pressure and focus of another competition.

We began the day by walking to the long track speed skating arena which looks like an upside down ship from the outside. The inside is HUGE and we were shocked in comparison to the size of ice we skate on. It must take ages to zam it! We cheered on our teammate Austin Kleba in the mixed NOC team event, and his team ended up second. I’m so happy for Austin to also bring a silver medal home for Team USA!

After watching the exciting event and the awards ceremony with 12 people on the podium (!!), we got the chance to try out speed skating. It was so weird! Everything about it was different from figure skating. First of all, the skates have no ankle support and are more like tennis shoes. Secondly, the heel isn’t attached to the blade, so it flops around like cross country skis. Finally, the blades are of course extremely long and difficult to manage. I’m not sure if it’s just because they’re rentals, but the skates were so dull that I was able to do some two foot turns on them, which my roomie said isn’t supposed to happen.

After that we went back to the hotel for a quick bite and game of ping pong before leaving for the train station. Greg decided to go to Oslo for the day with some other adults, while the rest of Team USA figure skating went to Lillehammer for the day. The train ride was picturesque and an awesome experience for my first train ride ever. It traveled right up the lake the entire time, and the lighting was so beautiful on the frozen lake.

Once we arrived in Lillehammer, I met up with my Norwegian friend Jarand, and we adventured a little bit with the Canadian team through Learn and Share. I think I told you the other day, but Learn and Share is a bunch of activities focused on an abundance of topics; some are physical, some mental, and some just creative and fun. The Learn and Share center in Lillehammer is much bigger than in Hamar and it was so much fun. I can’t wait to go back and do more. I tried a Norwegian hot dog which was delicious and instead of a bun its sort of a tortilla, but supposedly made of potato.

I had such an amazing time with my new friend, USA friends, and Canadian friends. From getting stuck in foam pits, to creating ideas of how sport can change the world, to trying on virtual reality goggles of a ski jump, Learn and Share is altogether a really cool experience. I also saw a couple of my friends that I met at the opening ceremony which was really nice, and I won a lot of prizes by using my YOGger.

Finally, after a wonderful day in Lillehammer, I took the train back in the dark and crashed on the bed.

Goodnight, I hope you’re enjoying the blog!

~ Chloe