Gabriela KoukalovÃ¡: "I've changed, I could also continue after 2018. And Besseberg I have shaken hands because ..."

After the season, Gabriela KoukalovÃ¡ released un''intervista the Czech site idnes.cz in which he explained why he refused to shake hands with the President dell''Ibu Besseberg and announced that, unlike what was stated several times, the his career could continue even after PyeongChang 2018.

Wednesday 22 March 2017 7 minutes reading time

Friday in Oslo during the award ceremony of the sprint Cup six specialties refused you to shake hands with the IBU president Anders Besseberg. Because?. "What interests me is to understand the value of people. For me an honest and sincere person is worth much more than a successful person. We live very strange era where it seems that you're afraid to say what he really thinks. Few people have the balls to do it and are the only ones to really live honestly " In the case of Besseberg because you behaved so? "Why it is not sincere. When dealing with a high-profile position as his own, then it should set an example and always defend the rights of athletes. But he has not shown to be absolutely interested in enforcing the rules, but simply to defend its position. Many athletes accuse him of being too lax in the fight against doping. ". Then you met with him again and we saw you speak at length. You have come to a clarification? "No. He spoke like a printed book, did not even give me the impression of having doubts about his position. I do not know what's behind his behavior and I'd rather not know. But I am convinced that the people who move in a haphazard manner, the end is always exposed. After all, as they say, when the water boils it is only a matter of time before it all come to the surface. " Someone, among athletes, has supported your gesture? "After me had to be awarded to the Germans and they asked me why I had done so. I explained and said they were in agreement with me. But I do not deserve admiration for this small gesture, who started the fight for our rights Martin Fourcade, Michal Å lesingr and Lowell Bailey. It is they who in January launched the petition to strengthen sanctions against doping and it is they who deserve the applause. " Five victories, fourteen podiums. Three medals at the World Championships including a gold. Second place in the standings with two specialty Cups. How was your season? "From goosebumps! It was really great. But now I better stop, because my body is like a race car. Occasionally it needs an overhaul in order to share and make the most " There should be no trouble finding the motivation to start again in next year's view. The Olympic gold is missing your dashboard ... "Chiaro. Indeed, during the Olympic winter I want to be more concentrated than usual " And then what will happen? You will fold and you build a family? "I do not know. It seems to me that the last few years are just flying away. I think this is because I am calm in private life. If you were not happy in my personal life, it would be impossible for me to get results like this. " So you may continue after PyeongChang2018? "Put it this way: I do not want that next is my last season" But it's what you said more than once in recent years! "I know, but I said it because I also have the desire to become a mother and start a family. However, right now, I do not think of retiring after PyeongChang. If you had to realize that the biathlon still like as I like to have today and still want to play sports, then I will continue. " But it seemed safe. How come you changed your mind? "The stage of Nove Mesto in December has changed my perception of the biathlon. Until then I have always considered simply cross-country skiing and shooting. But during that time I found a crazy environment. Around me there was a huge human warmth, there were many children asking me photos, I also have some dedicated drawings. Live this atmosphere made me realize that the biathlon can be something much deeper, something that goes beyond just sports. The victory in the mass start was amazing, one of the most beautiful moments of my entire life. The emotion I felt was higher than gold at the World Championships. That day I realized that with my results I can make people happy, give them a moment of joy and happiness ".

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