Brussels, 13/02/2002
Once again this proves the Universiade brings together top athletes who pursue an academic training as well. Like Takafumi Nishitani (JAP) for instance, reigning Olympic Champion on the men’s 500m short track in Nagano 1998 who also captured the gold medal at the Winter Universiade in Zakopane. No doubt he will defend his Olympic title in Salt Lake City. As a matter of fact, almost every medallist of the Zakopane short track competition will meet again in Salt Lake City. Besides Nishitani, the following student skaters will compete: Nicola Rodigari (ITA), silver men’s 500m; Li Haonan (CHN), bronze men’s 500m and 3,000m; Min Ryoung (KOR), gold men’s 1,000m and 1,500m; Bruno Loscos (FRA), silver men’s 1,000m; Lee Seung-Jae (KOR), gold men’s 1,500m and 3,000m; Li Ye (CHN), bronze men’s 1,500m; Simon Van Vossel (BEL), 4th men’s 3,000m and silver at Poprad Tatry in 1999.
Also interesting to follow will be Evgenia Radanova (BUL), four time medallist in Zakopane: gold women’s 500m and silver women’s 1,000m, 1,500m and 3,000m. Radanavo is ranked second overall in the 2002 ISU World ranking. She already participated at the 1994 and 1998 Olympics, but did not take home a medal. This time it might be different…Choi Miu-Kyung (KOR), three-time medallist in Zakopane, gold women’s 1,000m and 1,500m and bronze 3,000m will also be competing in Utah.
Top Universiade biathletes are present as well: Olga Zaitseva (RUS), silver women’s 7.5 km and Olga Nazarowa (BLR), bronze women’s 15km. All three men of the 10km are present in Salt Lake City as well: Tomasz Sikora (POL) gold 10km and 20 km; Roustam Valiouline (BLR), silver 10km and bronze 20 km and Siarhei Novikau (BLR), bronze 10 km.
Other Sports
Among other sports, medallists of Zakopane in alpine skiing, cross-country, figure skating, ski jumping and snowboard are also competing in Salt Lake City.