Antoine and family enjoying Olympics
A group of South Korean women pose for a photo with their new cheesehead wearing friends. The cheeseheads are Claire Martins, Kelleigh Martins, Elise Martins and Lonnie Martins. (Photo by Mary Antoine)
Matt Antoine’s family
and friends enjoy Olympic Games
By Mary Antoine
We have seen some wonderful skating the past two days. First, we went to the men’s 1500-meter skating. Three Americans raced, including Shani Davis. Yesterday, all 11 of us went to a figure skating event. This was pairs short program. Four hours of total enjoyment. That evening, our host took us to Coffee Street - a street filled with coffee shops. More than 200 kinds of coffee are imported into Korea through Gangneung, the city in which we are staying. We also met an artist.
There were many Americans in attendance during the two days of the men’s skeleton races, including the families of two other skeleton sliders – John Daly and Kendall Wesenberg.
Elise and her family wore cheeseheads and were a hit with the Koreans and others. They were asked many times if people could take their picture with them. Thursday night, we celebrated New Year’s Eve with our host at the bed and breakfast. The new lunar year began Feb. 16.
Many countries sponsor a house where one can go and enjoy their beverages and food. So, over the times we were at the Olympics, we visited the Canada House, the Swiss House, the Sweden House, the Czech House and the Holland House. Elise and her family went to the USA House, and Matt, Nick, and Charlotte went to the Austria House.
One again, I am so appreciative of Prairie du Chien and its support of Matt. That is one of the nice things about living in a small community, everyone is so supportive of one’s accomplishments. I am always proud when Matt’s name is announced at a race and the commentator tells all who are watching that Matt is from Prairie du Chien, Wis.
This Winter Olympic Games was extra special because both Matt’s sister, Elise, and her family, were able to join me, brother Nick, Nick’s wife Charlotte, my sister Margaret and Charlotte’s parents Ben and Nancy. Elise was unable to travel to Sochi four years ago. Matt has worked so long and hard to be a two-time Olympian that it is an honor for us to have been able to share this moment with him.
We are in the Inchon Airport to return home.
