MOSCOW, February 16, Vasily Bogdanov. Olympic champion in cross-country skiing Veronika Stepanova told reporters that last year she did not believe that she would go to Beijing for the Winter Olympics. The Russian women's cross-country skiing team consisting of Yulia Stupak, Natalia Nepryaeva, Tatyana Sorina and Veronika Stepanova won the 4×5 km relay at the Beijing Olympics. The Germans were second, the Swedish women third. «Gold in the relay was very unexpected. It was not the main goal. The main goal was to perform well. In the end, everything worked out. A year ago I did not suspect that I would be at the Olympics, and now I am standing here in front of you with a medal. Who would have thought? After the finish, it was complete devastation, we worried for so long before the race. The medal itself is heavy. What's next? Next is the World Championships, the Tour de Ski. There are many more competitions where I have to show myself» — said Stepanova. The Olympic Games in Beijing will last until February 20.
