Title: 1) Beatrici Lorenza (Atl
Author: tpo
Last saved by: Elena
Company: Newspower

QUOTES 50K CT MASS START

3 MARCH

Johan Olsson (gold)

I was so happy when I finished that I saw no reason to lie on the ground to catch a cold or something. I didn’t really expect to go so early but then I saw there was an opportunity and I felt pretty good so I just thought that ok this might be a really bad move but I’m going to try to be offensive today and make something of this race. Even though my teammate Richardsson didn’t change his skis in the last lap it didn’t really affect me. I saw that he had a gap over the chasing group but when the coaches told me that he hadn’t changed his skis, I thought that probably I had a little better glide. I remember thinking that if he had the power than maybe I could assist him and if he is stronger than me then I am happy to help him, but I really wanted the gold medal. I just focused on my own energy. For me the 50 km is the finest thing you can win in the World Championships but I think the way I performed is even more important than the gold medal. So even if I finished 15th with the same performance I would be just as happy. The hardest part in the race was in the middle when the gap was always about the same and I only thought I would win in the last 500m. First and foremost this gold medal is for my family and my wife who takes care of our small child while I am away and helps me to be a full time athlete.

Dario Cologna (silver)

I knew I had a good chance today, I’m satisfied with my race and I’m really happy with the silver medal. Northug, the “super favourite”, was racing with us in the leading group but I wasn’t thinking about his race, I was only focused on myself. At the steep downhill part of the track I was really fast and I fell, but I cannot explain just yet exactly what happened. I don’t think it affected the competition because Olsson was leading by himself and I returned to the group that was chasing him. Back in the group the speed was slower and this was an advantage for Johan. His race was impressive and to hold on to the gap between him and the others is a sign of his strength. He really deserved to win today, he told me he wanted the gold medal and he did his best right from the start. Concerning the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi, I think I’m certainly one of the favourites, but in my opinion it is too soon to say what will happen. There are so many competitive teams and this pushes me to work hard and become stronger.

Alexey Poltoranin (bronze)

This is the second medal for Kazakhstan at these World Championships in Val di Fiemme. I hoped to be on the podium today, but the race was very difficult and it was really hot. It’s the second time I have raced the 50km and I’m really tired. I had good and fast skis and I managed to win a second bronze medal. That makes me really happy. Next year there will be the Olympic Games in Sochi and I think I will be able to win 2 medals. Obviously I would wish for gold medals, but I would be happy also with bronze.