Rich Ruohonen makes Olympic debut aged 54
Ruohonen, who is a personal injury lawyer in Minnesota, became the United States’ oldest competitor at the Winter Olympics when he was subbed in during an 8-3 defeat at the hands of Switzerland in the men’s curling competition.
MILAN - Rich Ruohonen realised a long-held ambition as he made his Olympic debut at the age of 54, PA Media/dpa reported.
Ruohonen, who is a personal injury lawyer in Minnesota, became the United States’ oldest competitor at the Winter Olympics when he was subbed in during an 8-3 defeat at the hands of Switzerland in the men’s curling competition.
He said: "My family saw it and were all there cheering me on, it’s hard in a loss, I just wish it would have been in a win.
"I played in my first event in 1988 to try to make the Olympics when it was a demonstration sport and I’ve been so close along the way, especially the last 20 years.
"I’ve been playing with them (Daniel Casper, Luc Violette, Ben Richardson, and Aidan Oldenburg) for a year and a half, we’ve become really close and they’re like my best friends - even if they’re my kids’ age.
"I appreciate everything they have done for me and it’s just an honour to be with them, get out there and throw a couple.” - BERNAMA-PA MEDIA/dpa
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