Four years ago, Alex Deibold was a wax technician for the U.S. snowboarders after he was unable to qualify for the Vancouver Games.
Today, he’s an Olympic medalist after bagging the bronze in today’s Sochi Olympics men’s snowboard cross final at Rosa Khutor, ensuring an American presence on the podium after top veterans Nick Baumgartner and Nate Holland were unable to make it to the main event.
After working hard behind the scenes, Deibold is now in the spotlight.
“It was grueling work but it was a situation that I’m grateful for,” he said of his previous role in a team release. “It really gave me motivation over the last four years; I’ve gone through some surgeries and I’ve had a lot of low points where I’ve doubted what I’m doing.
“I remembered what it was like to be there, and to be sitting here in front of you guys, to stand on top of the podium today and to wrap the flag around myself - all that sacrifice and hard work were more than worth it.”
Following today’s final, he took to Team USA’s official Twitter account to take questions from the fans. Here’s some of his responses...
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@spe1276 in an outdoor sport like snowboarding you have to be ready for everything Mother Nature has. I was prepared for it. - @adeibold
— Team USA (@TeamUSA) February 18, 2014
My time as a wax tech for the Olympic team in Vancouver kept me motivated RT @AlyssaGaby What kept you going through it all? #AskTeamUSA
— Team USA (@TeamUSA) February 18, 2014
@CAKE33433 No I don't like waffles..... I love them! - @adeibold
— Team USA (@TeamUSA) February 18, 2014
@christinae88 the support from my teammates in that moment is beyond words. It was amazing - @adeibold
— Team USA (@TeamUSA) February 18, 2014
Team USA also made note of a classy gesture that Deibold made in the post-event presser:
In post-victory press conf. @adeibold dedicates #Olympic medal to Chelone Miller (@MillerBode's late brother) & the Miller family. #TeamUSA
— Team USA (@TeamUSA) February 18, 2014