Please stand up...
There
is another great biathlon girl you should cheer on by the track. I think she
deserves it. Maybe she would revenge then with something tasty to cook for you.
Or she would improve your running form as a fitness trainer. Anyway, you can
sit down now and read her whole story.
Here
she comes. Žanna Juškane from Latvia. In exclusive story-talk for you.
- I started doing biathlon when I was in fourth grade. My schoolmate
advised me to do it. I had been doing modern dance and I decided to try this
kind of sport for a change.
- Biathlon was popular in Latvia when such sportsmen as Bricis, Nakums, Maluhins, Zimelis
and Upenieks competed on tracks. But unfortunately good athletes also retire
one day. From that moment lots of things changed including a system of
Federation. And it has influenced our sport – it’s popularity started to
decrease. But now with the help of Rastorgujevs biathlon started to get off the ground. I hope that I won’t let the spectators
get bored too.
- Of course you have to be glad about your
competitions, but if we speak about
a high level, my results can’t make me happy. There were moments when I was
totally satisfied about my achievements, but it happened rarely. But I don’t
give up and keep working on my mistakes in order to improve my results. The
main problem is good consistent shooting. It doesn’t allow me to compete on
good level.
 |
| Photo: zimbio.com |
- It’s hard for me to say how I see my next season. Lots of things depend on circumstances. I feel more
confident and consistent in trainings. I hope that I will be able to fight and
show myself on the tracks.
- Olympic Games in Vancouver were really exciting because these games were my first. I didn’t expect from
myself to show good results and I was also sick. That’s why I just enjoyed the
moment to be there for me. Vancouver vs. Sochi - the main difference was that the
Olympics in Sochi were my second. I had some expectations of how it all
supposed to be. The Olympic Games in Sochi were interesting on their own way
and the atmosphere differed from Vancouver’s one. Vancouver is situated in
Canada and the nationality is different from Sochi, where the local people have
Russian mentality.
- Maybe it’s too early to talk about my ambitions for my third Olympics in Pyeongchang. Lots of things depend on the situation
that will take place in Latvian biathlon. Also financial support matters. There
are lot of things that can influence it.
- The last World Championships in Nové Město na Moravě were maybe the most unforgettable champs for me. Though
I failed in my competition due to my shooting, but I was in good shape. The
atmosphere in our team was really good that let me also feel it.
- The stadium in Ostersund, where my first World Cup took place, fits me most. I
feel myself good here, maybe because I feel fresh and that’s why I ski a bit
easier here. I also like Antholz. Despite the high altitude I enjoy the route.
- My family hasn’t travelled yet to the competitions
to support me. But they watch me via
TV or Internet. The most important person who supports me and helps me in
trainings is my friend.
- First of all I try to get enough sleep, when I don´t
train, but still I am not
the type who sleeps really long. Usually when I have a day-off I do
housecleaning. Sometimes it takes a half of the day, because I love cleanness.
Also I go shopping. Of course I like to cook, it makes me a lot of fun.
Sometimes I browse the Internet, watch movies or TV series. I like reading. And
if I have such mood nobody can stop me. I like adventures, drama, detectives
and romance. Everything depends on my mood. And I love to vary my days-off.
- It happens rarely that I feel lazy or I don't have mood for training. But when I have
such mood I realize that I have to change something in my training or take a
day-off.
- If I was just an ordinary biathlon fan I would cheer for Kaisa Mäkäräinen, I like her. As
for men, I would cheer for Ole Einar Bjørndalen. He is the King of biathlon.
- I can’t say what I like more, if winter or summer. When it’s winter I want summer to come and vice-versa.
I don’t like autumn and spring, the two nasty times of year for me.
- I have some weaknesses, unfortunately. And they appear during races. I go through lots of
things, get nervous and fear follows me. It’s hard to overcome it all, because it
happens unconsciously and automatically. Maybe that’s the reason why I am not
consistent.
- Where my fans could meet me relaxing? Hard to say, but Antholz (Italy) is really nice in
summer. I would take a rest there with a pleasure.
- If biathlon didn't exist I think that in this case I could be a massage
therapist. I even practiced it and people liked the way I did it. Also I could set
up a fitness studio. I also love cooking so maybe I could do something related
to this.
- I have a dream and it’s connected with sport. Let it be my secret. Also I dream about getting
married, like every other girl.
