It's here. The day that you've been waiting for your whole life it seems. The day that you've trained for your whole life. You've given up everything for this moment. There's been pain and tears... all in preparation for six minutes. Everything you've done up to this point doesn't seem to matter - the only thing that does is what happens in those few moments on a sheet of ice with the world watching. You don't know what will happen. You've worked hard and you feel prepared - but a few minutes on slippery ice can change everything. Before you step out into the Olympic glare, it seems as if the dream you've dreamed so fervently about is within your grasp. But after you step off the ice, will that dream remain in shatters behind you? Or will it be yours?
It's the Olympics. Anything can happen. The only thing that's certain is the uncertainty. In the past, nothing has gone right for the favorites. Meaning this: anyone can become the next Olympic Ice Queen. In 1998, Michelle Kwan came in as the favorite. But Tara Lipinski stole the show. In 2002, no one would have expected Sarah Hughes to be on the podium. But she beat out favorites Irina Slutskaya and Michelle Kwan to take gold. Likewise, 2006 saw veteran darkhorse Shizuka Arakawa come from almost quitting the sport to skating lights out while favorites Slutskaya and Sasha Cohen crashed around her.
It's 2010. A new quadrennial cycle of hard training and fervent dreaming has ended with the ultimate prize - Olympic gold - within reach. Who will reach out and take it?
Yuna - You've been so dominant over the past year. No one has been able to touch you in competition. You've got everything it takes to win. But you're the favorite, the frontrunner, the world champion everyone is chasing. Just go out and skate your heart out, like you do everyday in practice in Toronto. Let your love of skating shine through and you'll be atop the podium.
Mao - You're so talented. You've struggled this past year, but put all of that behind you. You're the darkhorse - you don't have the pressure of being the favorite. So run with it. Remember what you did in Worlds two years ago. You fell on your opening jump - hard. But then you pulled yourself up and gave the performance of your life. That's what you can do now. You can overcome the troubles you've have with your triple axel this year, pull yourself up, and skate like you never have before.
Joannie - all of Canada is behind you. We'll be with you the whole way. You can do it.
Mirai and Rachael - You're both so talented with bright futures. Just soak in every moment and do your best - that's all you can do. 2014 is your time, but in 2010 the possibilities are limitless.
The 2010 Women's Olympic Short Program. Everyone's worked hard - it's time for them to realize their dreams.
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