Russia (bbabo.net), - The Russian cross-country skiing team consisting of Yulia Stupak, Natalia Nepryaeva, Tatyana Sorina and Veronika Stepanova won gold in the women's relay at the Beijing Olympics. Sorina, who ran the third stage, commented on the victory in a conversation with reporters.

Were you very worried about your stage?

Tatiana Sorina: I didn't worry, because my task was just to run my race, as from a separate start. The surprise was that I was passed the baton along with the German. In principle, it was on hand, because we wanted to work out the descents together. I tried to break away on the ascents, but on the descents it did not work. Maybe somewhere the skis didn’t work well, somewhere I don’t pass well.

You are an Olympic champion. Do you have it in your head?

Tatyana Sorina: It fits. I tuned in to it, I believed in victory. You can’t hang a medal around your neck in advance, but I seemed to feel that we would win the relay.

When did you realize that it was definitely gold?

Tatiana Sorina: When Veronica ran her stage, and I saw that the lead over the Swedes and Finns was not shrinking.

So you didn't follow the Germans?

Tatiana Sorina: I knew that the Germans would not be rivals at the finish line.

Your coach and husband Yegor Sorin said that you didn't manage to get close to the Olympics. Why is that?

Tatiana Sorina: I don't know what the reason is. Maybe it's still running in the mountains. But the form is really not the best. I was determined that I would be in the best shape at the Olympics.

There were no fears that you would not be put on the relay?

Tatiana Sorina: It wasn't.

Does relay gold make up for failures in individual races?

Tatiana Sorina: Probably, yes. If they took silver, I would not be as satisfied as with gold. Still, Olympic gold in the relay is better than a personal medal.

bbabo.Net