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Q: Olga, let's look back at your Olympic season.

Olga Savialova: We must start with a preparatory training period. Everything seemed to be bad, but now obviously I can say that I went over with intensity. It is difficult to assess the level directly during training, it is the most delicate moment. The whole first period of the World Cup went unsuccessfully.

Q: Then there was the Tour de Ski.

Olga Savialova: I was hoping for better results (Savialova finished 7th) but failed. After that I wen to Tauplitz Alm.

Q: Weather was a force majeure there?

Olga Savialova: Yes, and It was not easy. I had to carry out short trainings, making quick work, and we were knee-deep in snow. Anyway, I should not have been so long in high altitude.

Q: After all of this it was difficult to expect top results in Vancouver?

Olga Savialova:Sure. But I was hoping as everyone for a sudden burst! But there again, so much interfering there.

Q: Russian training system, which is not the most flexible one does not respond to the state of an athlete in real time.

Olga Savialova: This is exactly what happened. I'm an experienced athlete, I can be given a freedom of choice. I could have performed better with a little more freedom.

Q: Do you believe you could prepare your training schedule by yourself?

Olga Savialova: Of course! I have enough experience.

Q: How many years have you been in the national team?

Olga Savialova: I'd better tell you since when - 1992!
Basil Parnyakov: What is your opinion about inviting foreign coach to Russian team?
Olga Savialova: I think that we have good coaches. I think that coach must look into the eyes of an athlete before training, change the program depending on the shape. Surely we have enough of such coaches.

Q: Let's get back to you. Both your victories at the world championships happened after the Olympic Games. Is there any rule for that?

Olga Savialova: Yes, both times I performed badly at the Olympics and then won the World Champs. I also changed my coaches both times. However, the main thing is that in the Olympic season is always crazy with loads of training. I had more rest following seasons and in winter I was more fresh which resulted in good placements at the World Champs.

Q: Olga, can you do it again? Again the Games are over, again there was crazy load of trainnig, and next year there is World Championships in Oslo! When and where should you finish your career, than in the skiing Mecca - Norway!?

Olga Savialova: I am not feeling older. But that is exactly why I am leaving the team. I need to move away from the constant pressure and huge volumes in the team. I can no longer handle this pressure. All work must be done according to what the coach says, but not the way you feel. Again the same drill. I will try slow down little bit and will run for pleasure and fun at domestic competitions, and we'll see. I do not want to guess, but I still have faith and strength!

Contributed by Basil Parnakov, skirun.ru

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