In 2012, American Vic Wild received a Russian passport and changed his sports citizenship. He then became one of the main stars of the 2014 Sochi Olympics. Vic is the only snowboarder in history to have won two gold medals at the same Games.
At the 2022 Beijing Olympics, Wild won a bronze medal in the parallel giant slalom, after which he announced his retirement. Despite his announced retirement, Vic participated in the Russian Championships in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk in February 2022.
Today, Wild is actively keeping fit and preparing to participate in the Milan Games, which will take place in three years.
In an interview with , 37-year-old Vic talked about his education and plans, life in St. Petersburg and participation in the TV show “New Stars in Africa”. We started the conversation with the latter.
“I always feel embarrassed watching myself on screen”
— TNT announced you as a participant in the show “New Stars in Africa”. Did you immediately agree to participate in the television project?
“Actually, I didn’t really want to go.” I have difficulty with language and my personality type is not suitable for such shows. But finally I decided to accept and go to Africa.
—Have you watched the previous seasons? Have you understood what awaits you?
— I don’t watch TV, I don’t even have any at home.
– So why did you agree to go?
— My manager told me that I had to go to the project, that it was important to me. I didn’t want to let him down.
— What is your main fear?
“To tell the truth, I’m practically not afraid of anything. » Of course, I don’t like cockroaches, rats, snakes and other insects. In Africa, they made me uncomfortable.
– You haven’t lost weight thanks to the project, they don’t feed you in Africa, right?
– Yes, they don’t feed you at all there. I can’t say now how it all happened. The project has not yet been released, it is better to see everything with your own eyes, the premiere will take place very soon.
— Will you watch the show on TV when it comes out?
“I can’t say for sure yet whether it will work or not.” But I still feel embarrassed watching myself on screen.
“I’m doing a lot better now from a physical point of view. I no longer kill myself in training like I used to.
— What do you generally do now? What does your day consist of?
— I train and enjoy life. I’ll soon figure out what I’ll do next.
— After the Beijing Olympics, you announced your retirement. I suppose this decision was not final?
— Yes, I wanted to end my career, but unfortunately, everything did not go as planned. Now I think about my life and my plans for the future. I’m ready to start competing again, but I’m looking for activities that I might also enjoy.
— Earlier, you announced your desire to participate in the 2026 Olympic Games. This is a serious request.
“Now I stay fit, I’m healthy, I’m ready to work for three more years to compete in the Games.
– How do you stay fit?
– In the gym. I also do climbing, stretching and cycling.
— What motivates you to pursue your career? You are already an accomplished athlete with three Olympic medals.
— After the Olympic Games in China, everything did not go as planned. I may have to continue to compete.
But if I compete for Russia, I can only do so on my own terms. I feel like since 2016 I haven’t been able to focus on snowboarding and winning because of unnecessary distractions, especially from the FBMA and CSP. If I want to succeed again, I will need Russia’s full support.
— Do you receive an Olympic salary?
– Yes.
— What about the cars offered in exchange for medals at the Games?
— I sold it because I want to invest money.
– You are already 37 years old. Isn’t age an obstacle to serious physical activity and the pursuit of one’s career?
– If you compare me today and at 25 years old, now I am much better from a physical point of view. I no longer kill myself in training like I used to. I’m more concerned with training, I don’t drink, I don’t smoke. My sport is not about physical strength, it’s about psychology. Overall, I take very good care of my body and mind and will be able to compete if necessary.
“I have more friends in St. Petersburg than in Moscow, people here are calmer”
— After the Olympic Games in Sochi, patriotic consciousness grew in the country. Everyone actively followed the Games and became more interested in sports. Did you then realize how important your medals were for Russia?
– Yes. I actually understood how important the Olympics were for Russia. Going to Sochi, I tried not to think about it, but focused on my performance. But during and after the Olympic Games, I was happy to observe the Russian people and understand how happy they are.
— Why did you decide to move from Moscow to St. Petersburg?
-– It always seemed to me that it was a good and calm city. I wanted to try living in a new place.
— Are you interested in football or hockey? Zenit and SKA play in Saint Petersburg.
— I went to Zenit matches, I like watching football. When I moved to St. Petersburg, the club invited me to a match.
— Has your mentality changed in any way over the years spent in Russia?
– Not particularly. I am not used to thinking in a group, I have an individual conscience, I always live alone with myself.
— Do you understand Russian well?
– It completely depends on the situation. When it’s noisy and people talk quickly, it’s difficult for me to understand the language.
“You probably have friends in Russia, girl.” How do you communicate with them?
– I have friends, I have a girlfriend. She is Russian, now she speaks a lot of English, but before we communicated only in Russian. I have more friends in St. Petersburg than in Moscow, people here are calmer.
— Do you still have friends and relatives in your country?
— In America, I have five close friends, a brother and a mother.
— How did your family react to the idea of obtaining Russian citizenship?
“Then they supported me.”
— Do you discuss the political situation in the world with your American friends?
— We don’t usually talk about politics. My friends are busy people, they don’t think about Ukraine or the political conflict.
— They don’t advise leaving Russia?
– No.
— Do you support athletes who change their sporting citizenship in current realities?
– Yes. This is life, we live it once. You must do what is best for you. I think that people who condemn the change in sports citizenship can themselves leave the country under favorable circumstances. We do not condemn hockey players who play and earn a lot of money in the NHL.
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.
