Oliver Pretorius shows sportsmanship and fair play by donning his skates during competition

Oliver Praetorius displayed sportsmanship and fair play as the international Tayside Trophy was decided at the weekend in Dundee, UK. Mexico’s Donovan Carrillo arrived at the competition without skates after getting lost in handling luggage during the trip to Dundee. Pretorius then offered to borrow Carrillo’s skates so that he could finish the match.

– I ran into Donovan after my practice on Friday night and saw him trying on different skates and looking stressed. I was curious and asked what had happened and he told me how his luggage with skis had not arrived on the flight from Heathrow. I had my own skates in my hand and without really thinking, I asked him about his shoe size and asked if he wanted to test my skates, says Oliver Praedorius when reached after the Skatesweden competition.

After testing out the skates in practice, Donovan received an offer from Oliver to borrow the skates during the competition if the luggage didn’t arrive by the time Saturday’s competition started.

– Donovan and I had never met before this match, but I thought about how I would feel if this happened to me. It was clear to me that he was lending his skates to finish the match. The skates weren’t a hit, so after both the short program and the free skate, I ran into him with my skates.

The weekend’s events and Oliver lending his skates drew attention in many parts of the international figure skating world and Pretorius was praised for his gesture of fair play.

– The response I received was incredible. Both on site in Dundee but also on social media. Despite being competitors, it’s important that you can help each other and be there if someone really needs help. I’m so glad I was able to help him!

– Oliver giving away his skates was a very nice and selfless gesture. She represents the core values ​​of Swedish figure skating and stands for fair play. In addition, this weekend’s event will be a reminder of the positive values ​​that sport can express, and that sport has the potential to create friendship and solidarity across national borders, says Swedish Figure Skating Association sports manager Anna Parvall.