"I couldn't walk for a full week, my suit was shredded and I couldn't believe that ice could give such a nasty burn," he said, recalling that he, his family, and his trainer Senad Omanovic were all worried that he would not be able to travel to Beijing at all.

His father described Mirza as an energetic and hardworking person, who is always on the move, but who still has time to meet friends, go to concerts and movies, or learn to play the guitar.

"Since he has spent a lot of time competing abroad, he learned enough to be able to communicate in Czech, Slovak and Russian. If he stayed a bit longer in Beijing he would be able to converse in Chinese," Denis said as he recalled the excitement, happiness and pride the whole family felt as they watched Mirza carry the national flag at the opening ceremony.

In fact, Mirza did pick up a few words in Chinese during his stay in Beijing. In a video he posted on Instagram on Feb 7, he thanked his fans for their love and support and said he loved his Olympic hosts in Chinese. This post received more than 12,000 likes and 7,700 comments in just two days.

Mirza said he still could not believe how a simple gesture such as winking could elicit such a huge reaction. He admitted that he was very nervous during the opening ceremony, as it dawned on him there and then how big a deal it was to be part of his country's Olympic team.

Until the beginning of this season, Mirza had competed using an old, beat-up 13-year-old sled. But after people recognized his talent, enthusiasm and good results, the Bosnian diaspora in the United States and in Europe organized a fundraiser and bought him a new sled.

"It was amazing. I can't thank them enough. I am still getting used to this new and very expensive sled and to the way it reacts," Mirza said.

"Young people should follow their interests, whether it's sports, music or art, and give their best. The results will come."

XINHUA