Preparing for Sochi

TRENTINO – The Universiade is famously a breeding ground for Olympians, and is often a competition in which student-Olympians also compete. Milanko Petrovic of Serbia, gold medallist today in the Men’s biathlon 10km sprint, will compete in Sochi.

So too will the Russian women’s curling team, who, but for one player, have come to Trentino with their Olympic line-up.

Up to this point Margarita Fomina is pleased with their progress, “The Universiade is going well so far – everything is to plan. We have won our games and are happy with the results.”

With one eye on Sochi, the Universiade is vital, which Fomina highlights, “It is a form of preparation for us. Here everything is very similar to the Olympic system.”

That is not to say, however, that they do not value the Universiade in itself. “We come to any competition to win,” explained the Russian, “and it is very important for us to medal or even better win so we feel like a strong team. We are currently placed 5^th in Europe so to win would give us more self-confidence.”

It may seem a stretch to be in the first curling team for Russia as well as studying. Fomina is a law student in Moscow and admits that her schedule is extremely full at the moment, “We have to fit in a few exams after these games, but the most important thing is still Sochi. After then we will have more time to concentrate on our studies.”

Toby Fisher, FISU Young Reporter