Participation in the Olympic Games is in itself recognition of the hard work of the athletes, coaches, and federations, and a victory for them.
This was stated by BOC President Vessela Letcheva to BNT on the eve of the XXV Winter Games in Milan-Cortina. Lecheva is the head of the Bulgarian delegation and will attend both the opening ceremony and most of the competitions in which Bulgaria is participating.
Vessela Letcheva highlighted the recent successes of the national snowboard team, including Alexander Krasnyak’s silver medal in the World Cup, the experienced and titled Radoslav Yankov, for whom this will be his fourth Olympics, as well as the successes of world champion Tervel Zamfirov and his sister and Europe’s No. 1 talent Malena Zamfirova.
The flag bearer for the Bulgarian delegation in Milan will be figure skater Alexander Feigin. The decision is in line with the competitors’ starts and the fact that for the first time the opening of the Winter Olympics will take place in two locations – at the San Siro stadium in Milan and simultaneously in Cortina. The name of the other flag bearer, who must be a man, will be announced in the coming days.
Most Bulgarian competitors will be in biathlon, with full teams for both men and women. Among the leading names are Milena Todorova and Vladimir Iliev, who have achieved consistent results in World Cup starts in recent years, Lecheva explained.
“We have a well-prepared team. The latest results give us reason for optimism,” said Letcheva.
The Bulgarian Olympic Committee president refused to make specific predictions about medals, adding that he did not want to burden the athletes with additional expectations.
“As a former Olympian, I am fully aware that athletes should not be burdened with overly high expectations. Each of them has the potential to achieve a strong ranking, even a podium finish. But victories must be earned. The most important thing is for them to show their spirit, willpower, and abilities on the day of the start of their discipline,” added Letcheva, reminding us that our last medal from the Winter Olympics was won by Evgenia Radanova 20 years ago, also in Italy.
Vessela Letcheva added that there should not be huge expectations of the athletes because they train in conditions that are not equal to those of the rest of the world’s elite. She gave the example of the Winter Sports Palace, as well as the fact that there is no ski jump in Bulgaria.
A consistent policy on sports infrastructure is needed. Our country needs modern training facilities. There is no need to lament that we are not the sporting power we were years ago; we must follow successful models from around the world.
“I will give one example, because it is obvious to everyone. For the CSKA stadium, the state and business joined forces, and we can see what a wonderful facility is currently being built,” said Letcheva, during whose term as acting sports minister the partnership was formed.
Vessela Letcheva assured that the new leadership of the BOC is doing everything in its power to prevent problems from arising.
“This is an extremely unpleasant situation for everyone, for the entire Olympic movement, as I have said many times before. It is a huge scandal and a disgrace. We are working with limited staff, but we are doing everything possible to ensure that the athletes and coaches do not feel this problem,” she emphasized, adding that the BOC is in active contact with the International Olympic Committee and the Games’ organizing committee.
She called on former president Stefka Kostadinova to comply with the IOC’s decisions because the legal saga could continue for months. When asked by the host if she had any information about whether Stefka Kostadinova would be in Milan, Lecheva replied: “She can only be there as a spectator.”
Vessela Letcheva was also asked whether she had any connection to President Rumen Radev’s future political project.
“On March 19, I was elected President of the Bulgarian Olympic Committee. I am also Vice President of the European Confederation of Sport Shooting, so there is no way I can participate. I strictly adhere to the Olympic Charter and its principles, which do not allow political involvement,” Lecheva was categorical.
Rumen Radev showed that you can leave your post a year early for the sake of the country, and Stefka Kostadinova extended her term by a year, even though she lost the election, Lecheva drew a parallel after being asked to comment on the current situation.
