Sochi Winter Olympics 2014: We hope that Karim competes well, says Ali
SFP realistic about skier’s chances of winning a medal in Sochi.
Muhammad Karim from Gilgit-Baltistan carries the flag as he represents Pakistan at the Sochi Winter Olympics 2014. PHOTO: RETUERS/FILE
KARACHI:
Ski Federation of Pakistan (SFP) will keep their expectations realistic, with Pakistan’s sole athlete Muhammad Karim takes the stage on February 19 in Sochi.
SFP secretary Mussarat Ali said that the biggest achievement for Karim was to book a spot in the Winter Olympics. He added that Karim will take part in the giant slalom event of the alpine skiing competitions.
“Our hopes are with Karim, but we aren’t really competing for medals,” Ali told The Express Tribune.
“We have to be realistic, but we are hoping that Karim competes well. He should qualify in his event and complete the race.”
Ali said that like Muhammad Abbas, who became the first Pakistani to compete in Winter Olympics in 2010, Karim was also expected to put up a good show. “Abbas ended up performing better than many skiers from ski-developed countries,” he said.
“Even though this time the competition is tough, we want Karim to complete the spirit finish course and not fall down.”
Gisin, Maze dead heat for women’s downhill gold
Meanwhile Dominique Gisin and Tina Maze finished in a thrilling dead heat as an Alpine skiing gold medal was shared for the first time in Winter Olympics history on Wednesday in a dramatic women’s downhill.
Swiss outsider Gisin was first to clock one minute 41.57 seconds down the icy 2.7km-long course and in brilliant sunshine it looked to have been enough for outright victory.
But Gisin had not counted on Maze, the 2013 super-G world champion and proven big-stage performer.
“I’m extremely happy and completely overwhelmed,” said a tearful Gisin.“I don’t think I even dreamt about this. Now that I have won, I am living the dream, but this is better than dreaming.”
Maze added there were no hard feelings sharing the gold.
“It’s a great feeling because Dominique and I are pretty good friends,” she said. “We have the same mentality. It’s good to see her winning gold, too.”
Humble White celebrates with conqueror I-Pod
Snowboarding superstar Shaun White saw his Olympic crown snatched away in one of the biggest shocks of the Sochi Games – but it didn’t stop him celebrating with new king of the pipe Iouri Podladtchikov.
Despite missing out on a medal, the American said he would celebrate with his rival – known as I-Pod in the snowboard community.
White, who also finished behind Japanese teenagers Ayumu Hirano and Taku Hiraoka in the final, said if he had to lose to somebody, he was happy it was Podladtchikov.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 13th, 2014.
Ski Federation of Pakistan (SFP) will keep their expectations realistic, with Pakistan’s sole athlete Muhammad Karim takes the stage on February 19 in Sochi.
SFP secretary Mussarat Ali said that the biggest achievement for Karim was to book a spot in the Winter Olympics. He added that Karim will take part in the giant slalom event of the alpine skiing competitions.
“Our hopes are with Karim, but we aren’t really competing for medals,” Ali told The Express Tribune.
“We have to be realistic, but we are hoping that Karim competes well. He should qualify in his event and complete the race.”
Ali said that like Muhammad Abbas, who became the first Pakistani to compete in Winter Olympics in 2010, Karim was also expected to put up a good show. “Abbas ended up performing better than many skiers from ski-developed countries,” he said.
“Even though this time the competition is tough, we want Karim to complete the spirit finish course and not fall down.”
Gisin, Maze dead heat for women’s downhill gold
Meanwhile Dominique Gisin and Tina Maze finished in a thrilling dead heat as an Alpine skiing gold medal was shared for the first time in Winter Olympics history on Wednesday in a dramatic women’s downhill.
Swiss outsider Gisin was first to clock one minute 41.57 seconds down the icy 2.7km-long course and in brilliant sunshine it looked to have been enough for outright victory.
But Gisin had not counted on Maze, the 2013 super-G world champion and proven big-stage performer.
“I’m extremely happy and completely overwhelmed,” said a tearful Gisin.“I don’t think I even dreamt about this. Now that I have won, I am living the dream, but this is better than dreaming.”
Maze added there were no hard feelings sharing the gold.
“It’s a great feeling because Dominique and I are pretty good friends,” she said. “We have the same mentality. It’s good to see her winning gold, too.”
Humble White celebrates with conqueror I-Pod
Snowboarding superstar Shaun White saw his Olympic crown snatched away in one of the biggest shocks of the Sochi Games – but it didn’t stop him celebrating with new king of the pipe Iouri Podladtchikov.
Despite missing out on a medal, the American said he would celebrate with his rival – known as I-Pod in the snowboard community.
White, who also finished behind Japanese teenagers Ayumu Hirano and Taku Hiraoka in the final, said if he had to lose to somebody, he was happy it was Podladtchikov.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 13th, 2014.