Skylar Park: “It means everything”

After losing in the quarterfinals of the 2024 Paris Olympics, Park fought her way into the bronze medal match (thanks in part to other results), but then her father took her aside with a pointed question.

“Before the bronze medal match, my Dad asked me if I was as brave as a younger version of Skylar “,” Park said, fighting back tears. “And my answer was ‘no.'”

Disappointed by her earlier defeat, the question sparked something in Park.

“I tried to emulate her and all her hopes and dreams,” Park said, referring to her younger self who started the sport more than 20 years ago. “That was a big motivation for me in the end.”

“It means everything,” added the Canadian athlete, letting his emotions run free.

Park’s father is her lifelong coach, while her grandfather could be described as the patriarch. Her two brothers, Tae-Kwon-Do And Braveare also top-level taekwondo competitors. To say that she carries the burden of family would be an understatement.

“My family is a huge Olympic fan, so we watched the games as kids,” she said. “I always love watching the athletes march into the Olympic Stadium and seeing their joy at winning a medal or just their pride in their country and the work they’ve done for it… the sacrifices and emotions.”

“That’s what really attracted me to the Olympics, and from a young age that was always my goal.”