Olympic relay champion Veronica Stepanova responded to the head of the Russian Ski Racing Federation (FLGR) Elena Vyalbe who has already criticized the athlete on several occasions for being too active on social networks.
At the end of the 2023/24 season, Stepanova won the overall ranking of the Russian Cup and also became the best in the long-distance running rankings.
— I ran 27 races last season. She won 17, including four relay races, finished second in seven and failed in three. Moreover, she won gold medals exactly where she wanted to win: in the Spartakiad skiathlon and in all the relay races of the season. If “passionate about media activity” gives exactly this effect, then I can only recommend my approach.
I don’t see the possibility of winning all the races – we have a strong women’s team, try to beat them! Most importantly, I don’t see the need to always win – this is violence against one’s own body, it kills the intrigue of competitions.
My dispute with Vyalbe has lasted for several years. I’m from a different generation, I look at almost everything differently outside of the ski slopes. The main thing: the athlete’s work does not end, but begins after the finish. Media and other activities off the ski slopes are not for “likes”, girls around 12 probably think that way. I don’t know what “receiving hype” means. But I know that live appearances, speeches in front of audiences, articles and social media posts turn into real career prospects after sports. And even now they give me the opportunity to meet people who interest me and who, under other circumstances, would not even look at me if I was even a three-time Olympic champion of the Universe.
I don’t think Elena Valerievna seriously hopes to convince me of anything. The whole essence of the question is in the phrase: “… here is Sasha Bolshunov – an example for everyone. He doesn’t need likes, he just mind his own business…”
We are simply fighting to influence young skiers. And you, dear teenagers, choose! — wrote Stepanova on the Telegram channel.
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.
