WARRINGTON, Pa. (KYW Newsradio) — Team USA Olympic speed skater Andrew Heo is a Bucks County native. His family gathered for a watch party early Saturday morning to see his first race, and reflected on the sacrifices made to get him to Beijing.
Heo began speed skating on a whim one weekend visiting family in Maryland. He and his brother Aaron fell in love with the sport and dedicated nearly every weekend of their lives to it for the last 13 years. Their father Pete says seeing him on the world stage makes it all worth it.
"It's definitely and unbelievable feeling and it’s hard to really absorb and sink in still," said Pete Heo.
"This is like what you dream of doing when you start skating: he’s there. It's pretty crazy to see," said Aaron Heo.
Pete Heo said the family has gone through so much, especially lately with training. To see his doing his thing in Beijing fills him with pride.
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“It’s hard to describe this moment, even from when my son made the Olympic trials in Utah.”
The 20-year-old advanced to the quarterfinals in the 1000 meter event. The entire family went wild when he made a dramatic pass on the last lap.
"Before the start of the race, you know, you get very intense and nervous," said Pete Heo, "but now that I saw Andrew just finish the race and he qualified, it's an awesome feeling. All of that, you know, you just get relieved instantaneously.”
Heo's relay team was disqualified in the semifinal of the mixed relay, costing them a chance at the podium. He does have more time on the ice, though, with the 1000 meter quarterfinals on Monday.
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