I was extremely happy, says Polina Omelchuk after winning bronze at 2024 Winter Youth Olympics
Kazinform correspondent chatted with Polina Omelchuk who grabbed bronze in the 1,000m short track speed skating event at the 2024 Winter Youth Olympics in South Korea to talk about her emotions after her triumph in Gangwon, Kazinform News Agency reports.
Hailing from Rudniy in eastern Kazakhstan Polina Omelchuk just turned 17. She first stepped into an ice palace at the age of 7 and that is when her love for speed skating started.
Polina told Kazinform correspondent Dariya Averchenko that she spends most of her time training at the Alau ice palace in the Kazakh capital. Ahead of the Winter Youth Olympics, she trained with Kazakhstan’s national youth speed skating team in Astana and competed in the World Juniors’ Cup.
Her bronze medal in Gangwon is the first big win in her sports career she feels extremely proud of.
“I was extremely happy, overwhelmed with emotions. I’m proud that I took Kazakhstan to the podium. I was so close to winning gold. This is the beginning of a big path. I believe I should credit my opponents. Athletes from China, South Korea and the Netherlands were so good,” Polina said.
Polina also pointed out that rigorous training was her secret to success. She revealed that her dream is to win the Olympic gold, just like her sport idol Xandra Velzeboer.