A luge athlete with deep roots in the Philadelphia region is making his Olympic debut. Matthew Greiner will represent Team USA in Cortina. The 22-year-old was born in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. “To see a track just packed with spectators, I’ve never experienced anything like tha t,” said Greiner. “I am so thrilled. I cannot wait.” Greiner said he honestly did not see this coming. He was brought to tears when he officially qualified for the Games. His first order of business? Calling his parents. “So emotional. I’m tearing up just thinking about it,” said Greiner. “I got to tell my parents they didn’t need to sell their tickets. Because my dad is my number one supporter, biggest believer, he has had everything set up for the Games for months even when we didn’t know what was going to happen.” Greiner’s parents, Jeff and Arlene, also get emotional talking about that moment. They still remember the first time Greiner tried the sport in 2014. “We’ve seen Matt have setbacks and injuries and keep on going,” said Arlene Greiner. “Disciplined, nerves of steel, never gave up, and that’s… what more can you ask for in your son?” Greiner’s mom, Arlene, is originally from South Philadelphia. Her mother, Greiner’s grandmother, still lives there. Greiner’s parents moved to Montgomery County and lived there until Greiner was six-years-old. They say he loved the Philadelphia Zoo, vacationing at the Jersey Shore, and rooting for the city’s sports teams. An outgoing friendly kid, they say a lot of their son’s personality was formed in the Philadelphia region. “And that’s a great place for it to form,” said Jeff Greiner. “Because Philly is passionate. And Matt is a passionate guy.” Moving out to Park City, Utah, Greiner found a new sport to channel some of that passion. His family’s new home was a little more than ten minutes away from the luge track. “We are lucky that we are so close and he got a chance to do it, and he got good at it and better and better and better and better and just worked his way all the way to the top,” said Greiner’s mom. Ahead of the Olympics, Greiner said he is hoping to soak everything in and enjoy it. “My number one thing is to have a good time,” said Greiner. Greiner’s parents say they want him to feel as if he did his very best and to enjoy what he has earned. “You know we are just kind of quiet people. He’s a principal, and I’m a nurse. We do our thing. It’s hard to believe that our son is going to be watched by the entire world,” Greiner’s mom said. “That is huge. It’s like, oh my gosh, everyone is going to have their eyes on our son who we are so proud of. That makes you even more proud. It makes your heart want to burst.” For information on when to watch Greiner compete, click here. ...read more read less