TNT Sports
Kostelic: Bring it on
By
Published 10/02/2006 at 17:51 GMT
Reigning triple gold medallist Janica Kostelic is feeling no pressure in her bid to repeat her Olympic grand slam in Turin. The Croatian skier spoke at a press conference in Zagreb on Friday, admitting "There is no big difference between these Games and t
Eurosport
Image credit: TNT Sports
Kostelic won the slalom, giant slalom and the combined event in Salt Lake City in 2002 to become only the third Alpine skier in history to win three gold medals in one games.
The colossal feat was first accomplished by Austria's Toni Sailer in 1956 before being repeated twelve years later by Jean-Claude Killy of France.
But Kostelic bettered those Apline giants by adding a silver in the super-G to become the most successful skier in one single games.
Speaking at Zagreb airport before departing for Turin, the 25-year-old said: "The Olympic Games are the most important event for every athlete, but I also think we shouldn't raise too much fuss about it.
"It would be silly to say I don't expect anything, as I'm doing quite well in the World Cup this year, but I really couldn't say. Of course, I wish for the best, everyone comes to the Olympics wanting a medal."
Kostelic leads the overall World Cup standings by over two-hundred points and, like USA's Bode Miller in the men's competition, will compete at all five events in Turin.
But she is not fazed by her heavy schedule: "So far I don't feel any pressure, it feels quite nice. We'll see if it changes when I get there."
Despite still recovering from a wrist injury sustained recently on the world cup circuit, Kostelic dismissed claims that she faced fitness worries.
"The health is OK. This thing on the hand is nothing serious, just a reminder from a previous race."
Someone who has faith that Kostelic could well repeat her Salt Lake grand slam is Eurosport commentator John Clark.
Asked whether a triple crown was a possibility, the Scot defiantly said: "Oh definitely. She's a monster in competition. Just look at her exemplary record in the big events. One thing's certain - I wouldn't bet against her doing it."
Related Topics
Advertisement
Advertisement