That determination paid off. After multiple surgeries over a couple years, Cook
got back on the skis and qualified for Turin. She will finally realize how it feels
to walk into the opening ceremony representing your country and wearing the red,
white and blue.
"I remember the feeling of sitting in the stands watching the opening ceremony in
2002 and knowing that I wanted to be there next time more than anything in the world,"
says Cook. "So imagining walking into the opening ceremony next week really recreates
the feeling of having brought this story full circle, and completed something that
I have always wanted. It will truly mean, for me, a new beginning and an opportunity
to move forward into the Olympic Games as a new athlete ready to take on the world."
And, if all works out well for Cook, she could be the second American woman ever
to bring home an Olympic medal in freestyle aerials.
Peterson, competing in his second Olympics, is a medal contender based on his experience
and high-flying skill. He is one of only a few men performing a quintuple-twisting
triple back flip, which has the highest degree of difficulty ever performed in aerials.
Yet his measurement of success at the games is nothing more than doing his best
– whether he's on the medal stand or not.
"The only thing that I agree with
Bode Miller on is that too much emphasis is put on winning," says Peterson.
"I was ninth at [the 2002 Olympics] and I was
very happy with that. And the
media has kept asking me about my disappointment in [my performance at the Games].
I didn't get it."
No matter what happens with Peterson and Cook, they are always there to support
each other, and that support has served as a model for the tight-knit U.S. aerial
team. "Our dynamic is envied by many teams, and I think Speedy and I have definitely
been a part of creating that," Cook said.
I have been retired from the aerial team for seven years. My gold medal from the
Nagano Games is an indelible reminder of the years of hard work, but quite honestly,
what I cherish most are the friendships I forged that will be with me for life.
Sometimes we need to step back to put things in perspective. Cook's injury helped
her gain this perspective.
"I learned that I have many, many wonderful things in my life aside from jumping,
and that has helped me to be a successful athlete and person, to be happy, and to
create surroundings that are supportive," says Cook.
Peterson stresses this as well. When asked about the one thing people don't know
about him, he quickly replies, "that there's more to me than a skier."
To Cook, there is a lot more than a skier in Peterson. There's a great friend.