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Shannon-Ogbnai Abeda made history in 2018 by becoming the first athlete from Eritrea to participate in alpine skiing at the Winter Olympics. Now, at 28 years old, he is poised to return to this prestigious event, with his journey now imbued with even greater significance.
Raised in Fort McMurray, Alberta, Abeda was notable not only for his skill but also as one of the few Eritrean skiers in a predominantly homogeneous sport. After relocating to Calgary in 2003, he committed himself to both challenging stereotypes and making a name for Eritrea by competing in the 2018 and 2022 Winter Olympics.
“I just hope there’s a little Eritrean kid out there who sees what I’ve done and thinks, ‘Hey, if Shannon did it, I can do it too,’” Abeda expressed, reflecting on the potential influence of his achievements on future generations.
Following the Beijing Olympics, Abeda contemplated leaving the sport behind. However, a profound personal tragedy shifted his perspective.
“During the summer, I lost a good friend of mine, he sadly passed away,” he recounted. “His life was cut short, and that made me think, am I truly living my dream?” This loss prompted him to reevaluate his motivations and aspirations.
Instead of stepping back, Abeda harnessed this moment of grief to find new meaning in his pursuit. With encouragement from his coaches and supporters, he intensified his training efforts, ultimately earning a place in the forthcoming 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.
“I just want to go out there and ski the best run of my life. And when it’s all over, I want to walk away knowing I gave it everything,” Abeda stated, emphasizing his desire to fully embrace the challenge ahead.
Source
globalnews.ca