Evan Lysacek: The Icing On The Cake

I can't help but notice the irony. Coming from a country which is always the underdog in sports, not only am I now living in the most successful country in the Winter Olympics, but the very city who bred one of the gold medal winners.
I must admit I'd never heard of Evan Lysacek until a couple of years ago when I saw him walking in a local parade. Some sort of skater I thought.
But last night the entire world was in no doubt who he was. He took gold in the nail biting final of the Men's Free Skating competition.
Within seconds it seemed half of Naperville was on Facebook marveling at the outcome. Everyone knew someone who was either at school with him, at nursery with him or once served his mom in Jewel.
Naperville being what it is, it should come as no surprise that we have bred an Olympian, more than the President of the country himself doesn't come from here.
Only half joking, I called for a ticker tape parade to welcome Evan home, even though he now lives in L.A. So it came as no surprise at all to see this statement from Mayor Pradel:

“The entire Naperville community is looking forward to expressing our congratulations to Evan and his family. We hope to get him back here in the near future, so we can provide him with a police and fire escort to welcome him home. I will then declare ‘Evan Lysacek Day’ throughout Naperville and present him with a key to our city. We are so proud of him!”