Who would have thought that the figure skater, who recently defeated the Russians at the European Championships, would be forced to ask for financial assistance. Luna Hendrix, who sensationally beat Anna Shcherbakova and Alexandra Trusova in the European short program, is raising money for a trip to the 2022 Olympics. The fans are shocked.
At the European Figure Skating Championships, which ended last weekend, there was one mini-sensation: after the women’s short program, Luna Hendrix broke into second place . The Belgian figure skater unexpectedly outstripped Alexandra Trusova and Anna Shcherbakova, and seriously counted on the medal of the European Championship. But in the free program, the Russians took their toll and took away three medals from Tallinn, Hendrix was content with only fourth place.
“4th at the European Championship! After a great short program, I was just stunned. Unfortunately, in the free program, I did not show my best side. But I’m still very proud of my achievements this season. Thanks everyone for your support! Let’s work hard before the Olympics , ”wrote Hendrix, clearly pleased with her performance in Tallinn.
For Belgian figure skating, fourth place at the European Championships is the best achievement in history. The same Hendrix a year earlier became fifth at the World Championships, the last time Belgian Alice Sie Klayis rose so high in 1992, becoming seventh at the World Cup. In the Olympic season, Luna took the bronze of the Grand Prix stage in Italy and was fifth at the Russian stage in Sochi. We can safely say that the 22-year-old Hendrix right now is the best skater in Western Europe.
Nevertheless, figure skating in Belgium is not developed in the same way as in Russia, so even the four-time champion of the country has to ask for help from fans. Immediately after the successful European Championships, Hendrix began raising funds for a trip to the 2022 Olympics.
“Soon I hope to be in Beijing to represent Belgium for the second time at the XXIV Olympic Winter Games. However, for this to happen, I also need all the financial support I can get. If you also want to support me on my journey to Beijing, please use the button below. Any financial support is more than welcome, no matter the amount, every euro will make a difference to me ,” Hendrix wrote on her website.
Hendrix’s cry for help caused bewilderment among the fans, but in general, the skater was praised for doing what she loves, despite all the difficulties.
“To those foreign athletes who are not supported or cannot be supported by their federations, on the one hand, sympathy, and on the other, respect. Doing what you love, paying extra for it – you must truly love it!
In Russia, skaters who are not included in the main team are often advised to change sports citizenship. This is how it happens for the most part. Now there is also a negative side of such changes.
“Who drowned there for switching to other flags? There is no money even for a ticket to China.”
The Belgian Figure Skating Federation, which does not exist, also got it.
“In general, of course, it is a shame and a shame for Europe, for Belgium in particular, that the state cannot / does not want to allocate money to its best athlete for a trip to the Olympics, not to mention a training camp.”
However, for the Olympic sports of Belgium, this is in the order of things. Four years ago, biathlete Michael Resch opened a fundraiser for participation in Pyeongchang 2018. By that time, the athlete was already an Olympic champion – however, being a biathlete from the German national team. Having changed citizenship, Resch did not wait for help from Belgium, but the fans helped the biathlete – Michael performed in Pyeongchang, where his best achievement was 23rd place in the pursuit. Resch donated part of the funds received from the fans to the cancer fund in memory of his former coach Klaus Siebert.
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