Lydia Lassila

From a young age, Lydia not only wanted to go to an Olympics, but wanted to win an Olympic gold medal. In the early days, she had no idea with which sport but soon enough, her interest for acrobatics, turned into a love for gymnastics. Due to injury Lydia was forced to retire from gymnastics at 16.

Lydia was selected and offered a chance for a new beginning as Australia embarked on a unique program of transforming ex-gymnasts into aerial skiers. Lydia had never skied before, but had nothing to lose; she grasped the sport with open arms.

In less than 2 years Lydia was competing in the finals of the Salt Lake City Olympics in 2002 where she finished 8th. Eight years later Lydia competed in the 2010 Vancouver where she had an experience she will never forget, Olympic gold.

In her time off since Vancouver Lydia has written and published her autobiography JUMP and given birth to her first child, son Kai who was born on Mother’s Day, 2011.

Lydia has decided she will continue to train for the next Olympics in Sochi, Russia in 2014 because she knows she can be better.

Find out more about Lydia Lassila at http://lydialassila.com.au/