2 FOCUS The Minsk Times Thursday, February 20, 2014 After the gift bestowed upon us by our athletes on Saint Valentine’s Day, it’s impossible not to fall in love with them. Of course, we held hopes that Darya Domracheva’s pursuit victory would be continued but never dreamed that she’d earn a second gold: in 15km individual. Meanwhile, Nadezhda Skardino claimed an unexpected bronze medal and, late at night, Alla Tsuper achieved a virtuoso victory in freestyle jumping: a fantastic result! President of Belarus Alexander Your success has brought happi- We really need your victories! from your determination, sense of behind, while you showed the highest Lukashenko has warmly congratu- ness, rejoicing and true enthusiasm Lines from the President’s con- purpose, huge diligence and courage. class of skill to the whole world. lated our biathletes on their well- for millions of fans. Belarusians are gratulations for Alla Tsuper: With your outstanding perfor- Pride overflows our hearts! deserved results: proud of you. Dear Alla! mance, you have brought a real holi- Thank you, and to your coaches Dear girls! Warm thanks, girls! With all my heart, I congratulate day not only to Belarusian fans, but and the whole national team, for From the bottom of my heart, I Special gratitude to the whole you on a brilliant victory! to all admirers of this spectacular, ex- these happy minutes of triumph. congratulate you on your remarkable coaching team. Ahead are new starts, Today, a woman of spirit is again treme sport. Wishing you happiness, health victory. and we believe in your success. on Mt. Olympus. Your victory comes Recognised favourites were left far and good luck! Our golden star Darya! Almost everyone who has been following the events on the biathlon tracks has realised that Darya Domracheva could not return from Olympic Sochi without a medal; she performed confidently at World Cup stages, despite missing targets. However, in Sochi, her stars aligned as no astronomer could predict, bringing her two gold medals over her three first races. By Dmitry Baranovsky Darya wasn’t a success in the sprint, seeming to ski with less than her usual fluidity, perhaps due to some shortcoming regarding the track: as much discussed, even since last year. Many of the leading skiers have been suffering similar problems. Nevertheless, doubts dispersed from the opening of the pursuit, with Domracheva just over one lap behind Slovak Ana- stasiya Kuzmina (twice Olympic sprint champion, gaining her first gold four years ago in Vancouver). Just half a minute behind her rival, Darya stepped up the pace before the firing range, and appeared at the second range alone, with only World Cup leader Norwegian Tora Berger seemingly having any chance of catching her. Darya even- tually won the day, claiming Bela- rus’ first ever such gold. The individual race has never been Ms. Domracheva’s forte, since each target error brings a whole minute of extra time. Even after her triumph in the pursuit, and re- membering Darya’s victory in this discipline a year ago during the pre-Olympic week in Sochi, few could call her a favourite. It was im- possible to tell how the race might progress until it was underway — Biathletes Darya Domracheva and Nadezhda Skardino celebrated February 14th — St. Valentine’s Day — on the Olympic pedestal and whether Darya would remain most all of the leading biathletes on form. were experiencing problems with Looking back on the women’s accuracy, yet Nadezhda showed her Impressively hot ski tracks individual race, it will undoubtedly true marksmanship talent. After- occupy a worthy place in domestic wards, she couldn’t conceal her joy, Darya Domracheva, Olympic prize-winner of the Olympic the last lap. As you can see, I now have sport for years to come. For the first proclaiming, “The feeling of seeing champion: Games: an Olympic bronze medal! I still can’t time in the history of the Winter your dream come true is amazing!” I’m delighted to have gained a sec- Until now, it has been difficult for believe it! Olympic Games, the Belarus team Darya Domracheva shared ond medal at these Olympic Games — me to believe that my efforts could pay Klaus Siebert, women’s Bela- managed to claim three medals: the joy of her teammate. How- especially in the 15km race, which is a off. At the last shooting range and dur- rusian national team coach, on the two being gold and won by a single ever, speaking after the medal cer- biathlon classic: much depends not biathlon: athlete. Also, for the first time, two emony, alongside other victors, she only on speed across the distance The race was such as we could Belarusian women stood upon the couldn’t help but focus on her own but on shooting. I’ve often had only dream of. Our medal win- medals podium. prospects. Taking into account her problems at the shooting ranges ners — Dasha and Nadya — coped Darya’s comrade in arms was speed and confidence, she’s quite — over this and previous seasons. well with their tasks. Domracheva Nadezhda Skardino — who has capable of beating German Kati However long hours of hard work combined the fastest speed on the only managed two Cup medals so Wilhelm’s record of three gold have yielded fruit. Do I know how ski track with good marksmanship. far in her sporting career: a com- medals at a single Games. Darya my victories are perceived at home? Only one miss over 15km is an ex- pletely different level. Ms. Skar- needs only one more and tells us, Certainly! I’m so happy that all Be- cellent result for her. Meanwhile, her dino’s success rested on her target “Why not? I’ll try to thoroughly larusian people support me! competitors also missed; she made accuracy. Holding the world record prepare for the next race: the mass How does it feel to have your BELTA up for her missed target with speed. Darya Domracheva runs quicker than others for shooting accuracy (across 22 start. I can’t say that it’s my favour- dream come true? As for Nadya, it’s a real miracle! She’s firing ranges), Skardino kept her ite but I enjoy biathlon in general, It is possible to be an Olympic ing the last lap, I just wanted to show done brilliantly and it’s not just luck; nerve and fulfilled every fan’s hope, as well as each race in particular. champion once — or many times. The what I could do, without thought of her competitors didn’t keep their nerve achieving her greatest success to I always enter competitions with dream can continue. winning a medal. After the final shoot- at the last shooting range and Skardino date: a bronze Olympic medal. Al- pleasure.” Nadezhda Skardino, a bronze ing range, I exerted all my strength on did! Now, she is a Games medallist! P.S. Whilst the issue was being prepared for publication, we received great news from Sochi: Darya Domracheva won the women’s mass-start biathlon in an intense struggle, becoming a three-time gold medallist in the same Winter Olympics. Congratulations, Darya!.