We have the feeling that it is not the athletes’ results that have become a favorite subject for the media or fans. And not even who bought what sports car or what new relationship they started. Discuss injuries and illnesses.
In principle, I don’t really like it. Any sport must first think about competing with other forms of entertainment for the attention of spectators and sponsors. Everyone wants to sell themselves better. For example, skiers and skiers are strong, harmoniously developed, rosy-cheeked handsome men and beauties, with a full-mouthed smile. They slide quickly and gracefully across the white snow. In the fresh air, through pine forests, with beautiful mountains on the horizon. Come on, urgently buy skis with poles and a trip to these wonderful places!
Alas, such an image is both true and false. It’s true, because the pine forests are real, the mountains and the snow are white. And our muscles are real. But the health situation looks like this.
Natalya Terentyeva, winner of the Russian Cup, and Tiril Weng, winner of the World Cup last season, are absent this season at the moment (Weng appeared for the first time recently). Among the men, Johannes Klebo is far from being in his best form after several illnesses in a row. Only Alexander Bolshunov shines, even if he does not hide his health problems.
Let me tell you honestly, I think you’ll take my word for it: beating Natalya when she’s fit and completely healthy is almost impossible. Not for me, nor for the Swedes or the Norwegians. She has been incredibly talented since birth, and over years of very intense training, she has become a skier with no weaknesses.
But it is extremely difficult for all of us to fight against a group of rivals. These are viruses and bacteria. And also injuries. We’ll talk about injuries in modern sports another time, but viruses today.
Nobody likes a cough, runny nose and fever. But for most people, it’s even more of a nuisance. For an athlete, it’s a year full of very intense efforts. 1000 hours of training. 1000 hours of work by trainers and specialists.
Last season I won eight races in the Russian Cup, finished second five times – in principle, not bad. But out of the twelve main races of the season (Russian Championship + “Championship Heights”), she was only able to win one. Although I had planned much more. The main reason is a persistent cold.
But it seemed like she was doing everything to avoid him. Apparently not all. At least that’s what Sorin thinks.
This year I tightened the screws even more myself. Yes, I always wear a mask at the airport, trips to the store are replaced by home delivery, communication with friends takes place only on the Internet. A room humidifier is an accessory as permanent as skis and boots. With the team doctor, we read a dozen scientific articles on the topic “How to radically increase immunity” (I’ll save you time: alas, nothing).
Recently, I was told how the world’s best cyclists fight viruses. What can I say, they are fighting hard: before Sagan or Pogacar stops at a hotel – any hotel! — specially trained people from their team come there. They bring their own mattresses (the usual comfort and guaranteed absence of germs), the entire room is additionally vacuumed, all places that the champion can then touch with his hand (bathroom faucet, etc.) are wiped with an antibacterial composition. Then the entire room is covered with a special film (the carpet is another favorite refuge for germs). And only then do they give the athlete the green light: come in, the danger is eliminated! I don’t care how much money Pogacar won, I don’t really follow the Tour de France either. But this is the “athlete’s service” – here desire takes over, what must be hidden.
I think Klebo, known for being associated with a professional cycling team, will come up with such an algorithm soon. So what to do? Bjoerndalen usually traveled around Europe in his campervan – from what I understand, precisely because he wanted to keep contact with the outside world to a minimum. But it’s another level.
For now, let’s hope that a combination of good nutrition, plenty of sleep, and radically limiting contact with the outside world will help avoid the disappointments of last year. Let everyone go to the start of Spartakiad in February healthy and ready to find out which of us is stronger, and not just the most resistant to the cold or just lucky.
And I wish you not to catch a cold, not to get sick – and to watch our competitions not from your bed, but at the stadium. The snow is very white, the fresh forest air really improves your well-being. Well, we look really graceful on the ski slope!
Watch live broadcasts of the Alfa-Bank Russian Cup races on Match Group TV channels, as well as on the matchtv.ru and sportbox.ru websites.
Source : MatchTV
I am Sandra Jackson, a journalist and content creator with extensive experience in the news industry. I have been working in the news media for over five years. During this time, I have worked as an author and editor at various outlets producing high-quality content that attracts readers from different demographics.
