MOSCOW, 28 Apr. Norwegian skier Lotta Weng said she was shocked by the words of Olympic champion Veronika Stepanova at a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. On Tuesday, the Kremlin hosted the award ceremony for the winners and prize-winners of the Winter Olympic Games in Beijing. The awards to the owners of gold medals were presented personally by the President of the country. “Before my eyes, Russia has become strong, proud and successful again. It is obvious that not everyone in the world likes it, but I am sure that we will win. Like we won at the Olympics. I am proud to receive an award from the hands of the president of the country. You raised our banner, but we will not lower it,» Stepanova said at a meeting with Putin.
"Stepanova's words are shocking. I find it hard to believe that this is her personal opinion. From the side we see a different picture. Veronica just doesn't see what we see. I think that sports and politics should be separated from each other. But, apparently, in Russia there is a smooth transition from one to another. Will I be ready to compete with Stepanova after that? I don’t know", the Norwegian edition of VG quotes Weng as saying.
At the Olympic Games, 21-year-old Stepanova won a gold medal in the women's relay. Russian and Belarusian skiers were suspended from international competitions after the aggravation of the situation in Ukraine.