09/08/2024
For the past few weeks, I’ve been actively sharing the incredible victories 🥇🥈🥉of our athletes at the Paris Olympics. But today, I want to focus on something equally important—what it means to be an Olympian.
Winners often dominate the headlines, their stories celebrated across all media. But behind every medal is a journey filled with determination, sacrifice, and unwavering dedication. This post is dedicated to every Olympian who made it to the Games.
Reaching the Olympics is a monumental achievement in itself. It’s the culmination of years, even decades, of hard work, perseverance, and resilience. The road to the Olympics isn’t easy—it demands a level of commitment and discipline that most people can hardly imagine. Athletes endure pain, push beyond their limits, and make countless personal sacrifices. They face injuries, setbacks, and moments of doubt, yet they keep going, driven by their passion for the sport and the dream of competing on the world’s biggest stage.
Becoming an Olympian means being among the best in the world. It’s a status that only a small percentage of athletes ever achieve. Whether they bring home a medal or not, every Olympian deserves to be celebrated. They embody the pinnacle of human effort and the spirit of competition.
Last night, I had the privilege of celebrating with the family of one such Olympian, Alexandra Kiroi-Bogatyreva, as she fulfilled her dream of becoming an Olympian. Watching her rhythmic gymnastics performances reminded me of the journey that brought her here.
I first met Alexandra’s family in 2018 when she was preparing for her first World Cup in Baku, Azerbaijan. I was honored to sponsor the team with chocolates from Enjoy Dark Chocolate. At that time, I wrote a note to Alex saying, “With the magic power of my chocolate, fuel for success, I have no doubt you will make it to the Olympics.”
And here we are today—this dream has come true. Who knew a little dark chocolate 🍫 could do so much? I guess it really does have superpowers! 🙂
At 22, Alexandra Kiroi-Bogatyreva is an Australian Olympic rhythmic gymnast. She is the 2022 Commonwealth Games clubs champion, team silver medalist, and all-around bronze medalist. She also won two bronze medals at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and is a four-time Australian all-around champion.
As you can see, this success didn’t happen overnight. “It’s definitely a process of blood, sweat, and tears,” Alexandra said about the work and sacrifice it took to represent Australia at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
For the past three years, Alexandra has trained hard at her base in Baku, Azerbaijan, which has become her second home. She fell in love with the country, its hospitality, and the excellent training conditions for gymnasts. As her mother shared in a recent interview: "When Sasha arrived in Baku, she saw the excellent conditions, the level of the Azerbaijani school of gymnastics, and the care given to the gymnasts. As a mother, my primary concern was my child’s safety. But we quickly realised there was nothing to worry about. We saw that real professionals were working here, who could help Alexandra progress, so we decided to stay longer. In Baku, my daughter prepared for the Commonwealth Games and other important competitions. Now, it turns out that Sasha is a product of Azerbaijani gymnastics, considering how much they have invested in her."
Yesterday, we all cheered for Alexandra, Australian Olympian. Her journey, and those of so many others, remind us that the Olympics are about more than just medals. They are about the stories, the struggles, and the triumphs of every athlete who has fought to get there.
Congratulations to everyone who made it to the Olympics.
