麻豆约拍

The Winter Olympics will officially open in Beijing this week, with around 3,000 athletes competing in 109 different events from 91 countries. One of those countries, Peru, is sending just one athlete - Ornella Oettl Reyes who will be competing in the the slalom and giant slalom skiing. As the only competitor from her country, she is also the flag bearer. She says she is looking forward to the emotion of the ceremony.

Born in Germany to a Peruvian mother, she she spent part of her childhood in Germany, and has represented Peru in competitions since 2010. She explains that there are no slopes suitable for alpine skiing in Peru, but she heads up to the hills, where there are llama tracks, to practise free skiing. She says she hopes to reach the second round at the Winter Olympics, and to encourage more athletes to take up competititve sport in Peru.

Photo: Ornella Oettl Reyes of Peru Courtesy: Ornella Oettl Reyes