Steamboat Olympic bronze medalist Arielle Gold poses with brother, Olympic snowboarder Taylor Gold, on the red carpet at the ESPYs.

The proud, small-town athlete isn’t one for fancy outfits or the red carpet, but it was the opportunity of a lifetime.

Arielle Gold poses with Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller and her brother, Taylor Gold, at the ESPYs.

“It was interesting. I was definitely a bit nervous when I was doing it,” Gold said. “Everyone else had people walking with them, like publicists. I was with my brother, so I was little unsure about where we were supposed to go.”

Gold had been putting the word out that she wanted to go, and she received an invitation a week before the event.

She had a few goals in mind, like meeting Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller.

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“I was excited to get a chance to get a photo with him, kind of brought the medal out, adds a little more credibility when I’m bothering him for a photo,” Gold said. 

Gold also met Odell Beckham Jr. and reunited with her teammates from the Olympics.

Gold describes feeling “starstruck” in the room full of athletes, despite being a professional herself.

She credits Chloe Kim, who won three ESPYs, for making snowboarding more popular. It’s part of what made the experience so special: watching her sport take centerstage.

“We don’t get a lot of attention,” Gold said. “It’s a huge credit to Chloe. She’s been doing a really good job of representing snowboarding.” 

To reach Leah Vann, call 970-871-4253, email lvann@SteamboatToday.com or follow her on Twitter @LVann_Sports