It was n’t his first tripper to the soapbox , but it was definitely his most memorable .
Being an Paralympian is the culmination of years of grueling work , lather , and dedication . Few athlete ever make it to the Paralympic level , and even then , only three can realize a medal in any given event . So uncalled-for to say , cook the ambo is a bit no athlete will ever bury .
For Paralympic cross - country skier Carina Edlinger , her bronze medal carrying into action was not only a life achievement for her but also for Riley , her faithful companion and guide click . And it was not one that Edlinger was go to let go uncelebrated .
Photo: Lintao Zhang / Getty
After winning bronze in the Women ’s Middle Distance Vision Impaired ( gratuitous ) upshot , the Austrian skier and her usher , Lorenz Josef Lampl , werepresented to the cheering crowdduring the medal ceremony . The pair took go placing their medals around one another ’s neck , but Edlinger was n’t done there . Reaching into her coating air hole , she pulled out a third , diminished medal , and tip down to place it around the cervix of the faithfulblack Lab , who took his accolade with dignity and a slight tail card .
This was n’t the first stumble to the podium for Edlinger , Lampl and Riley . On March 9 , the triplet won amber in the Women ’s Sprint Vision Impaired ( Free ) outcome . Riley did n’t get his own medal in that event , though he was there to take part in the celebration .
Visually impair skier are paired with a human guide like Lampl for events , and the duo train as a squad , but for Edlinger , Riley ’s inclusion was not a matter of debate . " I would definitely not have pilot [ to Bejing ] without him , that was my criterion , " Edlinger tell , speaking to theAustrian Paralympic Committee website . " He just belong to me and is much more than just a guidebook dog . "
