When the world’s elite figure skaters conclude their dazzling performances, a delightful storm of plush toys, bouquets, and Olympic mascots descends upon the ice. These heartfelt gifts, showered by an appreciative audience, are a staple of the sport’s most prestigious events.
But before the next athlete steps out, a special team springs into action. These are the ‘flower kids’ – aspiring young skaters positioned rinkside, whose crucial job is to swiftly clear the ice of every single tribute. Their reward? A fleeting but unforgettable moment on the very same Olympic ice as their idols.
“It’s a bit nerve-wracking,” admits 12-year-old Edoardo from Asiago, a town nestled in northern Italy. “You know that just moments before, a world-class athlete was out there performing incredibly beautiful routines.”
Edoardo’s personal hero is Ilia Malinin, and his most treasured Olympic memory involves retrieving a large Toothless dragon plush toy from the ice following one of Malinin’s short programs.
Edoardo is just one of thirty children, hand-picked from all corners of Italy, for this unique Olympic assignment. These ‘flower kids’ are granted an unparalleled vantage point to witness the world’s finest skaters, and in turn, they become a quiet focal point themselves. Organizers hope this close interaction with the Games will ignite their own Olympic dreams, inspiring them to become the champions of tomorrow.
Clad in their vibrant pink and blue uniforms, this dedicated young group passionately cheers for every perfectly executed jump, gasping in collective awe at the sight of a quadruple rotation. They stand hand-in-hand, their eyes wide with admiration from the sidelines. It’s more than just a task; it’s an experience they wholeheartedly cherish.
Nine-year-old Giulia shares this profound love for skating. For her, nothing compares to the thrill of watching Italian sensation Matteo Rizzo launch into one of his signature jumps – moves she dreams of mastering herself. “When I watch them,” she explains, “it truly feels like I’m learning.”
Martina, one of the elder girls in the group, echoes this sentiment: “Simply by observing, we gain an incredible amount from this experience, for which we are truly fortunate.”
Their learning extends beyond just the athletic feats of jumps and spins; they keenly observe how these athletes compose themselves under immense pressure.
Giulia recalls how, even when Malinin made a rare error, she admired his unwavering commitment to his routine. That evening, after poring over his interviews, one powerful message resonated deeply with her: the importance of giving 100 percent to everything you do.
Night after night, these children dedicate themselves to their role. They patiently sit by the rink boards through hours of competition, and while, like any young kids, they might fidget or whisper, their focus snaps instantly when toys hit the ice, sending them scrambling into action. Their coaches consistently praise their remarkable discipline.
Despite their eagerness, they strictly adhere to a rotation system. As the competition unfolds, the children move through the seating arrangements in a specific order. Those in the front row are the first to step onto the ice, and upon their return, they join the back of the line. This meticulous system guarantees that every child gets their precious Olympic moment.
Gracefully gliding across the ice, the kids swiftly gather the plushies and bouquets. These collected gifts are carefully placed into large bags, each meticulously labeled with the respective skater’s name. Athletes have a grace period of a few days to claim their tributes; any unclaimed items are then thoughtfully donated to local charities, including children’s hospitals.
So, do the coaches perceive any future Olympians among these dedicated youngsters?
“It’s truly too early to definitively say ‘Olympian’,” muses Monica Domenicali, one of the coaches guiding the children. “But do I see individuals with immense passion for the sport? Absolutely, yes.”
Nearby, the children diligently prepare for the day’s events. They help each other braid hair, meticulously adjust their makeup, and, finding any available space, practice their small jumps and movements on the floor.
For these children, in this electrifying moment, there’s no doubt about their future aspirations: they dream of continuing to skate and one day becoming Olympians themselves. “Just like Malinin,” Edoardo confidently declares.