ZHANGJIAKOU (VG) Alexander Bolshunov is hailed as the ski king of Russia with his third gold in the Olympic slopes below the Great Wall of China. But before the last show of force, the 25-year-old was annoyed.
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Bolshunov won three miles with a ski change, took silver in the 15 km classic, gold in the relay, bronze in the team sprint and gold in the “five miles” which was shortened to 28.4 kilometers due to cold and wind.
– He is the king and is so strong, but before the start he was angry that it was not five miles. Alexander disliked it. He was angry, says Egor Sorin, one of the coaches around the Russian national team, to VG.
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Several runners and nations have reacted to the organizer’s decision not to go a full five miles in the brutal winter weather in Zhangjiakou.
– He is good in messy conditions and wanted to walk five miles. But it does not matter. He played with the rest, and is the king, says Sorin.
– When I heard about it, I was disappointed because I wanted to walk five miles. But I understand that the weather is very cold, says Bolshunov.
Simen Hegstad Krüger got a huge boost after several weeks of isolation and adversity:
Coach Sorin was particularly impressed with Bolshunov considering the trouble he had in the run-up.
Before the season, Bolshunov struggled with the Achilles tendon. And he fell violently on a bicycle and broke his teeth. He had to undergo surgery twice due to an infection in the gums. Earlier this winter, Bolshunov has been at the top, but a small notch below many expected – before the Olympics.
After the victory, Bolshunov thanked his wife Anna Bolshunova.
– She always supports me. In the most difficult moments, she is always with me. When there were problems in the drive-up and things did not go so well, she was there, Bolshunov said.
–– I’m so happy for my five medals. I am 200 percent satisfied with what I have achieved here, Bolshunov said at the press conference.
According to the online newspaper Championat, Bolshunov kept his feet on the ground for another gold, despite wearing gold boots after “five miles”.
“I do not consider myself the king of skiing,” said Bolshunov.
His wife Anna Bolshunova was of a different opinion on Instagram.
“My king,” she wrote.
In the finish area, Bolshunov screamed with joy several times. He kissed the snow. Just over an hour after the finish, he took the time to sign a number of autographs and join “selfies” in the press room among media people and volunteers.
Hans Christer Holund struggled to find words for Bolshunov’s achievements in the Olympics.
– What can you say? He is a terribly good skier. It’s just to realize that he has been better than us this championship, then we have to find out how we can get better next year, Holund says to VG.
Johannes Høsflot Klæbo had to break the 28.4-kilometer due to stomach trouble. He was obviously disappointed, but applauded the rival from Russia.
– He is strong as usual and has hit with the form. He used to do that. He is strong and impressive in good drive, says Klæbo.
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