MARYSTOWN, NL – Jackie Osmond and her husband Jeff are very proud parents.
Their daughter, Kaetlyn Osmond, has become a household name and this week she’ll be aiming for a medal at the Winter Olympics.
“We are so proud of all Kaetlyn’s hard work,” Jackie told the Southern Gazette in a message on Friday.
“…after the troubles she experienced over the past four years, to see her make yet another Olympics is very overwhelming, and we beam with pride.”
Jackie says it was a proud moment to see her daughter, along with her teammates, receive their Olympic gold medal on Feb. 12 following the figure skating team event.
- with Osmond, the team includes Scott Moir, Tessa Virtue, Eric Radford, Megan Duhamel, Gabrielle Daleman and Patrick Chan.
Kaetlyn competed in the women’s short program in the team event.
“Again, to see how happy she was and how close she is with this team, it was emotional and full of pride to watch our daughter receive a gold Olympic medal.”
Jackie adds it is tense as Kaetlyn goes on the ice for each skate.
“I am nervous waiting and watching her skate for those reasons, but I am so proud of her and for making it this far that emotions quickly take over.”
Several rallies have been held at locations throughout Marystown to show support for the 22-year-old skater, including the Kaetlyn Osmond Arena, Marystown Library and Robins Donuts.
Osmond’s mother said she and her husband appreciate the outpouring of support Kaetlyn has received from her home town of Marystown, and the province as a whole.
“We are always proud to call ourselves Newfoundlanders,” she wrote. “Jeff and I have seen every video and message that has been posted and we are sure to keep her fan page up to date.
“Kaetlyn has seen some (messages), but her social media is limited as she remains focused and trained. She will, however, see it all when the time allows.”
Marystown Mayor Sam Synard said residents are proud of the young skater’s accomplishments.
Osmond has a lot to be proud of, having won silver as a member of the national Olympic team in 2014. She is a three-time Canadian champion, World’s silver medalist, and most recently an Olympic gold medalist.
Synard said from the town’s perspective, Osmond is a role model for young people, viewed much like Sydney Crosby is in his home town of Cole Harbour, N.S.
“(Hockey players) want to be (like) Sydney Crosby and grow up and play for the Pittsburgh Penguins, and figure skaters from the Burin Peninsula want to be like Kaetlyn and have the chance to compete in the Olympics.”
Kaetlyn returns to the ice Wednesday, Feb. 21, at 10 a.m. (Korean time) for her short program.
Due to the 12-and-a-half-hour time difference, the short program will air in Newfoundland on Tuesday night, Feb. 20, at 9:30 p.m.
In Marystown, the town will host another event at the arena that bears Kaetlyn’s name.
There people can watch live coverage of the short program and enjoy a free skate and some refreshments while they cheer for Kaetlyn.
Jackie Osmond said that going into this event her daughter is healthy, fit and focused.
“She is ready.”
Kaetlyn Osmond coming to Newfoundland
Once the Olympics are over, Kaetlyn Osmond will be spending some time in Newfoundland and Labrador.
It has been confirmed she will be the guest skater at the Ice Crystals Skating Club’s annual Ice show on April 14.
Osmond will also be performing in Corner Brook in the Silver Blades Skating Club on April 21 and in Grand Falls-Windsor on April 22.
