Between the skates and the bike

Last year our elite athlete received an invitation from the Cycling Federation to try track cycling in the discipline “elimination race”. She accepted almost in jest, counting on her good physical qualities. She had only 4 months for training till the B-World Championship where elite athletes compete. Only the first in the qualification was entitled to participate in the Olympics in Athens. With every passing day Evgenia felt that she mastered the bike better. Her trainers Ivan Slavov and Emil Lozev believed in her future achievements. And the success came soon – she triumphed over all other athletes and made her way to the upcoming Olympics. She was trained following a special programme in Sunny Beach resort.

“Till August I will emphasize on cycling,” Zheny shared. “I’m trying to give my best. I need to work more on the starting technique and I lack competition routine. I have the ambition to get as high in the rank list as possible at the Olympics. After that I will continue with short-track for the 2004-2005 season. A European and a World Championship await me. I will train in Italy with the coach of the Italian national team. I have been working following their programme for two years now.

The question I’m most frequently asked before a race is: “Will you win a medal and what will it be?” It is difficult to make prognoses in this sport because the favourites have equal opportunities. Those who implement the strongest running tactics win. I think that my up-to-now success is mainly due to the long-year training, to the fact that I learnt from my mistakes – and not just me but my coach Ivan Pandov too. We had hard time through the years. In the beginning we tried different systems for physical training and later we took up tactics. We understand each other only with one look.

My mother is to be thanked for my skating. She was the first to show me the skating-rink at Druzhba stadium. She expected me to get carried away by figure skating. But I chose short-track. My brother supported me and he still believes in my athletic potential.

I am not superstitious but at competitions I always have with me a small consecrated icon for luck. In especially hard moments I repeat to myself: “What does not kill you makes you stronger!”

I treasure each victory. But I was very happy when I had returned to Bulgaria after the Olympics in Salt Lake City and an old man stopped me in the street and told me: “I am proud that you are Bulgarian!” These words I will never forget. And they are a sufficient stimulus to keep going ahead.

All my dreams are connected with sport. I graduated from the Sports Academy as a trainer. When I stop competing may be I’ll start training children. What I will tell them at the very first training will be that with perseverance you can achieve everything!”

Tatyana Petrova