Beijing Diaries | Competing at Beijing 2022 makes Spanish freestyle skier's 'lifelong dream' come true

BARCELONA -- Competing in the Olympic Winter Games is the realization of a "lifelong dream," said Spanish freestyle skier Thibault Magnin from Beijing, adding that his Olympic goals are "to enjoy my skiing, represent Spain, and do my best to inspire people."

In a video recorded in the Olympic Village in Beijing, which opened its doors to athletes and team officials on Jan 27, Magnin said he was overjoyed to be present at the Beijing Olympic Winter Games, calling it an achievement that he has dreamed about all his life.

Magnin was born in Fribourg, Switzerland, to a Swiss father and a Spanish mother. In the Swiss mountains, he developed a keen interest in snow sports, especially freestyle skiing. However, when he and his family moved to the warmer climate of Mallorca, Spain, skiing wasn't so easy for him. Later, he went to the United States to finish his studies while continuing to ski.

Being an athlete and a student, Magnin plays another role in his life: a model. "I signed with some modeling agencies in Barcelona, but it doesn't change that my priority now is skiing. Being a model gives me something to do in the summer," Magnin said.