By Patrick Johnston
SOCHI, Russia Thu Feb 6, 2014 5:38am EST
Irene Wust of the Netherlands skates during speedskating practice at the Adler Arena ahead of the 2014 Winter Olympics, February 6, 2014.
Credit: Reuters/Marko Djurica
<span id="articleText"><span id="midArticle_start"/> SOCHI, Russia (Reuters) - The latest, greatest, high-tech speed skating suit capable of propelling athletes to record times, reigning 1500 meter Olympic champion Irene Wust has heard it all before.
<span id="midArticle_1"/>If manufacturers are to be believed, American athletes in Sochi are donning the fastest speed skating suit ever made. Canada and Russia have made similar claims.
<span id="midArticle_2"/>But for the experienced 27-year-old Wust, who won 3000m gold at the Turin Games in 2006, the mere question about the proposed advantage drew a wry smile which suggested 'here we go again'.
<span id="midArticle_3"/>"Since Turin the suits haven't changed that much," the Dutchwoman told reporters after training at the Adler Arena on Thursday.
<span id="midArticle_4"/>"Between Nagano (1998) and Salt Lake City (2002) the suits changed a lot. But the changes they make these days are marginal.
<span id="midArticle_5"/>"My current suit pushes me into a speed skating position and that is good."
<span id="midArticle_6"/>While she may not have the supposed boost of the reported multi-million dollar American suit, triple defending world all round champion Wust has been buoyed by a change in the ice.
<span id="midArticle_7"/>"The ice is good, the type of ice I like," she said.
<span id="midArticle_8"/>"In the beginning when I came here it was like really soft and a little breaky and that is a little difficult for me but now they changed it I'm happy with that. I'm satisfied. I'm feeling good, no health issues so I'm ready for the Games."
<span id="midArticle_9"/>Wust will be competing in all disciplines in Sochi as she bids to overhaul compatriots Yvonne van Gennip and Marianne Timmer who won three speed skating Olympic golds.
<span id="midArticle_10"/>She faces a tough task in the 1000m against American duo Heather Richardson and Brittany Bowe, who will wear the much discussed suits tested by an aeronautics company, but is tipped to retain her 1500m title.
<span id="midArticle_11"/>"I don't care what others are doing," Wust said.
<span id="midArticle_12"/>"Even if they have a really fast suit I still want to beat them. I cannot change it. So it won't worry me."
<span id="midArticle_13"/>Her 3000m race against defending champion Martina Sablikova of the Czech Republic and Germany's five-times Olympic gold medalist Claudia Pechstein is highly anticipated, especially at home where speed skating is revered.
<span id="midArticle_14"/>Many orange-clad fans are expected to swarm the 8,000- seater Adler Arena, adding extra pressure.
<span id="midArticle_15"/>"Of course Martina Sablikova is a big favorite and Claudia Pechstein but I know I'm one of the favorites and I like it," said Wust, a bisexual athlete who has previously ruled out talking about her sexuality or making a statement in Sochi about Russia banning the spread of "gay propaganda" among minors.
<span id="midArticle_0"/>"It has given me a good feeling, it gives me a little extra pressure and I like that extra pressure because that brings out the best in me. So looking forward to it."
<span id="midArticle_1"/>(Editing by Ed Osmond)
<span id="midArticle_2"/>
SOCHI, Russia Thu Feb 6, 2014 5:38am EST
Credit: Reuters/Marko Djurica
<span id="articleText"><span id="midArticle_start"/> SOCHI, Russia (Reuters) - The latest, greatest, high-tech speed skating suit capable of propelling athletes to record times, reigning 1500 meter Olympic champion Irene Wust has heard it all before.
<span id="midArticle_1"/>If manufacturers are to be believed, American athletes in Sochi are donning the fastest speed skating suit ever made. Canada and Russia have made similar claims.
<span id="midArticle_2"/>But for the experienced 27-year-old Wust, who won 3000m gold at the Turin Games in 2006, the mere question about the proposed advantage drew a wry smile which suggested 'here we go again'.
<span id="midArticle_3"/>"Since Turin the suits haven't changed that much," the Dutchwoman told reporters after training at the Adler Arena on Thursday.
<span id="midArticle_4"/>"Between Nagano (1998) and Salt Lake City (2002) the suits changed a lot. But the changes they make these days are marginal.
<span id="midArticle_5"/>"My current suit pushes me into a speed skating position and that is good."
<span id="midArticle_6"/>While she may not have the supposed boost of the reported multi-million dollar American suit, triple defending world all round champion Wust has been buoyed by a change in the ice.
<span id="midArticle_7"/>"The ice is good, the type of ice I like," she said.
<span id="midArticle_8"/>"In the beginning when I came here it was like really soft and a little breaky and that is a little difficult for me but now they changed it I'm happy with that. I'm satisfied. I'm feeling good, no health issues so I'm ready for the Games."
<span id="midArticle_9"/>Wust will be competing in all disciplines in Sochi as she bids to overhaul compatriots Yvonne van Gennip and Marianne Timmer who won three speed skating Olympic golds.
<span id="midArticle_10"/>She faces a tough task in the 1000m against American duo Heather Richardson and Brittany Bowe, who will wear the much discussed suits tested by an aeronautics company, but is tipped to retain her 1500m title.
<span id="midArticle_11"/>"I don't care what others are doing," Wust said.
<span id="midArticle_12"/>"Even if they have a really fast suit I still want to beat them. I cannot change it. So it won't worry me."
<span id="midArticle_13"/>Her 3000m race against defending champion Martina Sablikova of the Czech Republic and Germany's five-times Olympic gold medalist Claudia Pechstein is highly anticipated, especially at home where speed skating is revered.
<span id="midArticle_14"/>Many orange-clad fans are expected to swarm the 8,000- seater Adler Arena, adding extra pressure.
<span id="midArticle_15"/>"Of course Martina Sablikova is a big favorite and Claudia Pechstein but I know I'm one of the favorites and I like it," said Wust, a bisexual athlete who has previously ruled out talking about her sexuality or making a statement in Sochi about Russia banning the spread of "gay propaganda" among minors.
<span id="midArticle_0"/>"It has given me a good feeling, it gives me a little extra pressure and I like that extra pressure because that brings out the best in me. So looking forward to it."
<span id="midArticle_1"/>(Editing by Ed Osmond)
<span id="midArticle_2"/>
- Link this
- Share this
- Digg this
- Reprints
via Smart Health Shop Forum http://ift.tt/1ay5DxH
No comments:
Post a Comment