“Skater Sotnikova won Olympic gold in Sochi in a very difficult fight against the big favorite” – Enbert

Olympic silver medalist Alexandre Enbert told that the figure skater Adeline Sotnikova won a gold medal at the Sochi Olympics in a tense fight with tournament favorite Korean Young Ah Kim.

The Sochi Winter Olympics took place from February 7 to 23, 2014. Sotnikova won gold and became the first Olympic women’s single skating champion in Russian history. Vancouver Olympic champion Kim Young Ah took silver, while Italy’s Caroline Costner took bronze.

“It was a home Olympics, we expected the impossible from our athletes, and they did it. Sotnikova beat Korean Yong Ah Kim at these Olympics. Probably, it seemed then that it would be very difficult to do, but Adeline took it and did it. This is a true example of will, of preparation for the Olympic Games, reaching its peak exactly when it is needed.

Adeline’s gold medal was not only the first in women’s single skating for our country, but also the first in a tough fight with an undisputed favorite. The importance of this medal is difficult to overestimate.

—Did you expect Sotnikova to win?

— It is difficult to make predictions for the Olympic Games. A lot of stress, a battle of nerves, a struggle of internal motivations. Everyone was perfectly prepared technically. Athletes often enter the Olympic Games at the peak of their form.

It was difficult to make predictions about what was then and what is now. But everyone really wanted it. In my hometown of Sochi, in my beloved Iceberg Palace, I wanted everyone to win. That was pretty much the case. Dreams coincided with reality at that time,” Enbert told .

Enbert, who competed in pairs skating with Natalya Zabiyako, is the 2018 Olympic silver medalist in the team figure skating competition.