AJ Ginnis gave an emotional account into what it meant for him after he finished runner-up in the slalom at the FIS Alpine Ski World Championships to earn Greece’s first world championships medal in a winter Olympic sport.

Ginnis earned his silver after finishing 0.20 seconds behind Norway’s gold medallist Henrik Kristoffersen.

“Holy smokes. I don’t know what to say. I really can’t believe it. These last two weeks, it’s just been…,” he trailed off, unable to find the words in an interview with Eurosport after the race.

“You know, when you’re a little boy and you have all these dreams, and they all happen together.

“One of my best memories for sure, and history for my country, that’s just a whole different story.”

Ginnis was born in Greece but initially competed for the United States ski team at the 2017 World Championships.

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Due to multiple injuries that saw him have six knee operations, Ginnis was unable to compete as often for the team and eventually, the American men’s slalom squad was cut in 2018. He then opted to race for his birth country Greece.

When asked about how it felt to make the podium after he had such a tumultuous time with injuries, Ginnis said: “I just want to thank my coach, my family, my friends, my sponsors, because for them to stick by me through all this s****.

Sorry, but they are not the smartest people obviously,” he joked. “But days like today probably make it worth it, so thank you guys.”

Kristoffersen was 15th after the first run of the men’s slalom, but stunned to finish with the gold medal after his rivals were stumped by the track, which featured a large offset between the first gates.

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