MOSCOW, 7 Apr. The President of the Russian Ski Racing Federation (FLGR), Elena Vyalbe, spoke in an interview with the YouTube channel of three-time Olympic champion in synchronized swimming Alla Shishkina about her relationship with her first husband. Vyalbe noted that she had lived for about a year with Estonian skier Urmas Vyalbe, although in fact marriage ended later.
"We met at the competitions, saw each other and that's it, then we were immediately in the same junior team. Nothing special, it seems to me, as in any sport where there are men and women. This happens quite often with athletes", — said Vyalbe.
The President of the FLGR added that she maintained an excellent relationship with her first husband.
"Well, I don’t know, it happens, unfortunately, in life, — said the three-time Olympic champion in cross-country skiing about the divorce. It must have been some kind of love. Since I left, maybe I didn't feel married. But we did not become hated by each other, we never cursed, did not quarrel and do not do this now. He works in our team, we have always had and have a common son, we have common grandchildren, we communicate with families. I think that this is much better than living in some kind of hatred and doing it for the sake of the children".
From his first marriage, Vyalbe has a son, Franz.