Springfield, Mo., Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 453 member Craig Scott is in Sochi, Russia, this week watching his daughter Emily compete for Olympic gold in several short track speed skating events.  But it wasn’t an easy journey for father or daughter

Emily, 25, was a world champion inline skater before taking up short track speed skating about five years ago. But with the U.S. Speedskating cutting her funding last year, a part-time job not bringing in enough to pay the bills or give her time to train and a crowdfunding effort falling short, Emily was on the verge of giving up her dream.

But a USA Today profile of her struggles sparked nearly $50,000 in donations and allowed her to quit her job and focus on training and making the Olympic team.

Now with Emily whose events run through this week, and with Scott in Sochi to cheer her on, he says:

It’s taken a little while to sink in. It’s 20 years of hard work, and finally everything has sort of come together.

Read more coverage from the News-Leader here and here, and check the paper’s website for updates.

See Six Fun Facts About Short Track Skater Emily Scott from NBCOlympics.com and more from U.S. Speedskating.

This article was originally printed on AFL-CIO on February 17, 2014.  Reprinted with permission.

About the Author: Mike Hall is a former West Virginia newspaper reporter, staff writer for the United Mine Workers Journaland managing editor of the Seafarers Log.  He came to the AFL- CIO in 1989 and has written for several federation publications, focusing on legislation and politics, especially grassroots mobilization and workplace safety.