After winning three Russian National snowboard championships in a row, I qualified, at the age of 16, for the Winter Olympics in Torino. Taking part was an unforgettable experience and a highlight of my sports career. Now, I would like to achieve a similar level of excellence in my legal career by studying at Harvard Law School. My ultimate goal is to work for the United Nations and I aspire, one day, to be the UN Secretary-General. In 2004, I became a member of the Russian national snowboard team. I was the first Russian half- pipe snowboarding athlete and the youngest of the team to participate in the 2006 Olympics. Travelling around the world to compete and interacting with sponsors taught me what the adult life could be. I remember that the coach of the Russian snowboarding team initially considered me to be too young and confident and not worthy of being sponsored for the preparation of the Winter Games. He denied registering me for any World Cups which are fundamental to qualify for the Olympics. This did not stop me. My family assisted me soliciting the influence of the Head of the Russian Ski Federation and financial help from the GAZPROM bank which became my personal sponsor for training. Once the main obstacles were overcome I scored the required points at the World Snowboard Championships to compete in the Olympics. I recognize that the Olympic Games experience is craved by millions but experienced by few. Therefore, I feel honored that years of my hard work were justified for this one moment of glory in the international spotlight. The sports world developed my perseverance and determination; it provided an ideal context for my tenacious character and desire to succeed, attributes which I am now keen to apply to my academic studies. After the Olympic Games, at the age of 16, I won a scholarship from the Swedish Rotary club to participate in a one-year exchange program in France, to live in a host family and to attend high school. My e