"Nothing good comes easy." It's a motto that has served Queralt Castellet well.
The Spanish snowboarder has arrived back home as the proud holder of an Olympic silver medal from Beijing 2022.
A Great Event
It was an achievement not matched in three decades of competition for Spain at the Winter Olympics. Speaking to CGTN Europe she said it was a career-defining moment helped by a well-organised event.
"We have seen the best snowboarding," Castellet said.
"We were all grateful about the conditions, the wind was managed and was under control and the half-pipe was in perfect condition. We all had the opportunity to showcase our best snowboarding. Not just me but all the other riders, so it's even more of an honour to achieve a medal in these conditions."
Queralt Castellet of Spain shows her silver medal during a medal ceremony for the women's snowboard halfpipe finals event at the 2022 Winter Olympics on Thursday. /AP Photo/Frank Augstein
Castallet was pipped to Gold in the half-pipe by defending champion Chloe Kim, 11 years her junior. She proved a crowd favourite clinching second place, less than four points behind her American rival.
The Spaniard has been one of the most consistent performers on the world stage over the last decade and has fought against adversity. She has broken bones, suffered a concussion and undergone surgery.
She also tragically lost her coach and partner Ben Jolly to cancer seven years ago.
Spain's Queralt Castellet competes during the women's halfpipe finals at the 2022 Winter Olympics on Thursday in Zhangjiakou. /AP Photo/Gregory Bull
A Perfect Role model
Her relentless pursuit for excellence meant that at the age of 32 she managed her greatest achievement on the Olympic stage, making her the perfect role model for a younger generation who wish to enter the sport.
"I hope so. I hope that by achieving that, more kids decide that this is possible – to be a professional snowboarder and to be fighting for the Olympic medals as it’s not a crazy dream. It is actually a very cool goal." she told CGTN Europe.
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Castellet is now setting her sights on the next Winter Olympics due to be held in Milan in 2026. Her achievement is all the more impressive considering that Spain is not known for its success at the Winter Olympics.
For now, the snowboarder from Sabadell has earned a well-deserved break knowing she has more than made her mark at Beijing 2022.