Editor’s Note: Bellingham native Jonas Ecker, 21, wrote a diary for CDN during the run-up to and including the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, which ended Aug. 11. Ecker, a 2021 Sehome High graduate and five-time Ski to Sea competitor, and Seattle’s Aaron Small have been roommates, teammates and full-time University of Washington students. The pair qualified for the Games’ sprint kayak Men’s K2 500-meter race (eighth-place finish) and individually in the Men’s K1 1,000-meter race (quarterfinal finishes). This is his final entry. See more at cascadiadaily.com.
PARIS — What a journey. Over the past few weeks I’ve taken you all through some of the biggest and proudest moments of my life so far: I trained for the Olympics, became a (U23) world champion, raced at the Olympics, and came in eighth. I can describe this experience no other way than a dream come true.
Since the last set of updates from me and the writers at CDN, I attended closing ceremonies and left Paris to enjoy some much-needed decompression away from sport.
Through racing I was lucky enough to be supported by a large contingent from back home — both my parents, partner, and an extensive group of friends traveled over to watch. It was an incredible reminder of everyone who played an important role in my journey to this moment.
Once closing [ceremonies] rolled around, it felt like everyone in the village had let out a long-held breath. The Games were over and everyone no longer had responsibilities to manage. Once again, it was an incredible experience to walk alongside incredible athletes of both the United States and other nationalities. Entering Stade de France chanting “USA” as a team was exhilarating, and standing among all the other athletes as the Olympics came to an end felt fitting. We entered the Games as competitors, but we all left as Olympians.
Looking up at the Olympic rings one last time, for this Games at least, I felt extremely grateful for everyone that played even the smallest role in my success. It would be a disservice to try and name everyone who helped, advised, cared and supported along the way, but please know that I appreciate the entire village.
Thank you for joining me on the journey of a lifetime. Until the next one, goodbye.
Ecker joins a handful of Bellingham-raised Olympians that include: Jake Riley, marathon, 2020 Summer Olympics (held in 2021), Tokyo; Angeli VanLaanen, freestyle skiing halfpipe, 2014 Winter Olympics, Sochi, Russia; Fred Luke, men’s javelin, 1972 Summer Olympics, Munich; Roy Rubin, men’s coxed four rowing, 1960 Summer Olympics, Rome; Paul Jessup, men’s discus, 1932 Summer Olympics, Los Angeles.
