Brad Martin

(Canadian Olympic Committee )

Brad Martin is a famous Olympic snowboarder who has been very successful ever since he started snowboarding. He used to ski when he was young until one day his dad thought he was being very annoying, so his dad sent him to a snowboarding camp. When Brad came back, he had loved it so much that he saved all his money and bought a snowboard. Even though he was starting to win provincial ski races, he decided to quit skiing. Brad Martin was born and grew up in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. He was born on August 8th in 1986. Brad Martin is an inspiration because he is cool and nice and helps others, and that is what I want to be like.

From the time Brad Martin started snowboarding he loved it, and slowly got better and better. When he was around 20 he was snowboarding as a career in world championships. He had a really tough time competing in these events but never gave up. In 2005 he got 8th in a big air contest and in 2007 he got bronze in the half pipe. When he first started, he needed money to do all of this so he worked at McDonald's for a couple of years. He only had help from his parents or friends and relatives. I guess you could say his brother helped, too, because when he was young his brother would always snowboard with him.

In addition to being a great snowboarder, Brad Martin also helps charity. He donates and encourages other people to donate to the Ronald McDonald House. The Ronald McDonald House is a place near a hospital for parents to stay when their children have to be in a hospital for a long time. They are able to stay there at little cost, or sometimes none at all. Brad often goes to the Ronald McDonald House and visits with the families to make them feel better.

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Brad Martin has had an impact on many people's lives because he shows a lot of respect and doesn't show a lot of anger. When he donates to causes, he usually goes and visits with the families too and a lot of people really appreciate his happiness and how he takes the time to come and visit with them. Another interesting thing about Brad Martin is that he probably would have been a professional skier because when he quit he was already winning provincial races. His mom didn't think that quitting was a good decision at the time but I guess she does now. I think it is funny that the only reason he is a pro snowboarder is because he was being annoying so his dad sent him away to a camp.

The reason I like Brad Martin is because he is super good at snowboarding, and he has great qualities like he has respect for everyone and he is always happy. In my opinion Brad Martin has had a very successful life with being on the national team for seven straight years. He has won five World Cup medals and got the Athlete of the Year award also. This was one of his favorite awards. I really don't know what his future goals are or when he wants to retire, but I'm sure it will be a great decision. I think Brad Martin will continue to win competitions and also continue donating because he is really amazing and nice.