2014 Winter Olypmpics Opening Ceremony

**Retz** · February 8th, 2014 12:27 PM

Sochi 2014: Winter Olympics opening ceremony – as it happened

A festival of fun, fireworks and fashion got the 2014 Winter Olympics under way in Sochi.

Source: Sochi 2014: Winter Olympics opening ceremony ? as it happened | Simon Burnton | Sport | theguardian.com

Sochi 2014: Winter Olympics opening ceremony ? as it happened | Simon Burnton | Sport | theguardian.com

**Retz** · February 9th, 2014 11:43 AM

From shopping mall ice rinks to Sochi Winter Games for lone PH bet Martinez

AFTER a 22-year absence from the Winter Olympics, the Philippines will be represented by a lone figure skater in Sochi.

Michael Christian Martinez, 17, from Muntinlupa City, is the first homegrown Filipino figure skater competing in the Winter Olympics.

Initially, he did not expect to qualify to this year’s Olympic Games but he and his mother took the risk of competing this year. He is looking to qualify and finish in the top 24 in the oldest sport in The Winter Games.

Martinez, who began skating in 2005 at an ice rink in a shopping mall, trains mainly in Manila but travels to California where he trains for several months with British figure skating coach John Hicks.

He began competing internationally in 2010 and won his first senior international title in 2012 at the Crystal Skate in Romania.

more.....
From shopping mall ice rinks to Sochi Winter Games for lone PH bet Martinez | SPIN.PH

Suportahin natin ang ating kababayan na si Christian Martinez sa Sochi Winter Olympics.

**Retz** · February 11th, 2014 01:55 PM

Filipino Winter Olympian Martinez competes this week

MANILA, Philippines – Michael Christian Martinez has already made history by being the first Filipino figure skater to represent the Philippines at the Winter Olympics in 22 years. But he can do more than that if he is able to clinch the Philippines' first ever medal at this year's Winter Games in Sochi, Russia. (READ: The lone Filipino Winter Olympian)

That is exactly what the 17-year-old Martinez of Parañaque, Manila hopes to achieve this week as he makes his Olympic debut in men's figure skating.

Martinez will first see action on the ice on Thursday, February 13 for the men's short program. The short program, which will air live on TV5 from 11 PM to 3:30 AM, is the qualifying round wherein the top 24 skaters will advance to the free skate program.

Source: Filipino Winter Olympian Martinez competes this week

Filipino Winter Olympian Martinez competes this week

**frenchtower** · February 11th, 2014 04:39 PM

JR Celski finished 4th on the 1500 meter short race. JR is a FilAm.

**Ry_Tower** · February 11th, 2014 06:49 PM

Originally Posted by frenchtower

JR Celski finished 4th on the 1500 meter short race. JR is a FilAm.

Sayang, naka-bronze na pa naman siya before.

**Retz** · February 13th, 2014 12:10 PM

Today, 13 February, 14:45
Men's 1000 m Heats JR Celski

**baludoy** · February 14th, 2014 12:06 AM

it looks like malapit na sumalang si martinez.

good luck to the kid. medyo mahirap din pinagdaanan nito base sa mga nabasa ko. i hope he performs well

**kinyo** · February 14th, 2014 01:16 AM

scored 64.81, currently 3rd placer, but it is still early in the competition

watching the event, compared to other athletes so far, Michael's performance is indeed superb by my uneducated standard

**baludoy** · February 14th, 2014 10:03 AM

^ oo nga. to the untrained eye (like mine), he looked brilliant in his performance

i've read that the kid made the cut and he's moving into the next round. i guess the competition gets cut throat from here on end. let's see how he handles the pressure of competing against his more veteran and more physically built rivals