Chen Xiang

“我”8歲時開始滑冰，至今都記得第一次踏上溜冰場的情景：“我”小心翼翼地向前滑行，但還是一次又一次摔倒了。

Born and raised in Beijing， I beganskating when I was 8 years old. I remem?ber the first time I stepped onto the rink. Iglided forward cautiously.“Be bold！”myfather shouted.“Take a bigger step！”But Ilost my balance and fell again and again.

Even as a young girl， I saw skatingnot only as a sport， but also as my ticket toa top Beijing middle school. I spent mostof my time outside school at the rink. Thenone day， two intense years later， I had hadenough. I told my parents I couldnt do itanymore. Thankfully， my loving father andmother understood. They let me stop. Buteven after I quit， guilt and pressure stayedwith me. My parents had sacrificed somuch for me， and I felt Id failed theirexpectations. Even so， I still enjoyedwatching figure?skating on TV from time totime. I admired the skaters who won honorsfor our motherland. They were realizingthe dream I used to have.

Ten years later， eventually， inspiredby the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games，I put on the skates my father had boughtfor me. I carefully stepped onto the ice at arink. And this time， I was skating withoutpressure， without winning or losing.

To learn to skate， one must get upafter a fall. One cannot learn withoutfalling sometimes or often. I did fall again，but 10 years later Ive finally gotten upagain. I hear the echo of my fathers exhor?tation （敦促） to me as a little girl，“Bebold！ Take a bigger step！”

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