For South Africa’s Matthew Smith, the result of Friday’s cross-country skiing men’s 10km free hardly mattered.

What was truly important was being there in the first place.

At 35 years old, Smith made his Olympic debut at Milan Cortina. But his age is not the most impressive part of his story. Just three years ago, Smith knew virtually nothing about cross-country skiing. He had never even tried the sport. 

He is, however, a lifelong athlete. Growing up competing in rugby and cricket, sports eventually took a backseat when Smith began building a career in the tech industry while living in Norway. It was not until he competed in his first marathon at age 27 that he truly became enthralled by endurance sports, and he eventually conquered a full distance Iron Man triathlon.

Not long after that race, he met Mexico’s Allan Daniel Corona in Norway. A triathlete turned cross-country skier, Corona had aspirations of representing Mexico — a country that typically sends a small delegation to the Winter Olympics — on the world’s biggest stage. Feeling inspired, Smith began training with Corona and set his sights on the 2026 Games.

With the lofty goal of mastering a brand new sport in a three-year span, Smith took to social media to share his journey.

"You don't become an Olympian on the day you race, it's who you become in the process,” Smith said ahead of the Opening Ceremony on Feb. 6. “Here, I'm surrounded by many people who have become an Olympian and have sacrificed 30 years to be here. I managed it in three years.”

Smith also managed to become the flagbearer for South Africa’s largest Winter Olympics delegation to date. At Milan Cortina, he is joined by four other South African athletes — Alpine skiers Thomas Weir and Lara Markthaler, freestyle skier Malica Malherbe and skeleton athlete Nicole Burger.

“It feels surreal,” he said of being a flagbearer. “I’m privileged to be here and it’s amazing to see all these people around me, too.”

For Smith, qualifying for the Milan Cortina Olympics was about far more than individual athletic aspirations. It was also about putting his country on the map when it comes to winter sports competition. While South Africa has won over 90 medals at the Summer Olympics, the nation has yet to bring home a Winter Olympic medal. The Milan Cortina Games marks just the eighth time the country has been represented at a Winter Olympics, and the first time since the 2018 PyeongChang Games. Though the weather and terrain in South Africa do not lend themselves to sufficient winter sports training, Smith said, "mark my words, in 2030 and 2034 we will have bigger teams. Then soon enough we will be medal contending, because the next wave is coming." He is determined to make sure that representation only continues to grow from here.

"We haven't been here for too long,” Smith said. “So it's very important to show we're here and have staying power to be a dominant sporting nation in the winter as well as the summer.

“This is a precedent going forward.” 

So, for Smith, who finished 108th in the men's 10km free on Friday, crossing the finish line wasn't nearly as important as being on the starting one.

“My result doesn’t matter," Smith said after what he described as a "beautiful, but brutal" race. "My presence matters. Because it’s not just about winning gold medals. In five, 10 or 50 years, I won’t remember the times I got, but I’ll remember the people I crossed the line with and that’s what matters. I will leave touched forever with this experience." 

It's an experience that Smith has certainly made the most of. From posting Olympic Village dining hall food reviews to showing off his large pin collection on social media, Smith's wholesome content has nearly doubled his social media following. He has made a habit of sitting down to eat with athletes from other countries, and he has even been embraced by the Italian public.

"People say it's about the journey, but for me it's about what you make of the journey,” he said. “And making the most of it. That means capitalizing on every moment, and the value of a smile. I know the kitchen staff by name now — Martina, who makes my pizzas. People wave to me every morning."

When asked about sharing his journey on social media, as well as his growing following, Smith stressed that it's all about something bigger than just him.

“I see myself as a role model to get people into the sport, learn about how to be better and show behind the scenes so people can see what it really takes," he said. "I’m 35 years old and I only started three years ago, but I’m here today. And the truth is, you can’t be what you can’t see."

How fitting it was, then, that Smith finished just three places behind Corona, the person who inspired him to take up the sport in the first place.

"You'll always remember the people you crossed the finish line with," he said. "That's what the Olympics is all about."