Olga Reshetkova, a skier representing Kyrgyzstan in Winter Olympics 2010 in Vancouver, dropped out of the competition in the qualification of 1.5 km ladies’ individual sprint classic. Reshetkova, who is participating in Winter Olympics for the first time, came 54th out of 54 participants of individual sprint in qualifying race held on February 17.

In individual sprint athletes start separately, and Reshetkova was placed last in qualifications. Failing to gain speed and making several serious mistakes on the track, Reshetkova came last with the result of 4 minutes and 32.96 seconds. Thus losing her chances to enter the top 30 sprinters, who got qualified for quarterfinals.

Winner was 29-year-old Norwegian Marit Bjoergen, who came for almost 55 seconds earlier than Olga Reshetkova. Bjorgen, silver medal winner in Salt Lake City (2002) and Turin (2006), won the gold medal in this race later that same day.

Olympics-2010. Cross-country skiing. Sprint 1,5 km Women, qualification ranking:
1. Marit Bjoergen (Norway): 3:38,05
2. Aino-Kaisa Saarinen (Finland): 3:38,82
3. Anna Olsson (Sweden): 3:41,95
…
54. Olga Reshetkova (Kyrgyzstan): 4:32,96

Final ranking:
1. Marit Bjorgen (Norway): 3:39,2 – gold
2. Justyna Kowalczyk (Poland): 1.1 – silver
3. Petra Majdic (Slovenia): 1.8 – bronze

Dmitry Trelevski, the other representative of Kyrgyzstan in Vancouver Winter Olympics 2010, will compete for medals (keeping fingers crossed) in men’s giant slalom on February 23, and men’s slalom on February 27.

Reaction of internet uzers in Kyrgyzstan

Members of famous internet forum Diesel started actively discussing Reshetkova’s ranking in ladies sprint:

padarise2009 writes:

…Our athlete had an injury, and was not with a qualified professional, and she did not have a lot of other things. Yes, it would be very good to get at least but one place. Nevertheless, Olga deserves our respect and gratitude. And to be honest, we did not have anyone better than her…

Lyelya says:

The fact that she is in the [Winter] Olympics is already a breakthrough. She got there almost on her own, because no one helped them… It is all due to their hard labor, sweat and blood…

Lyelya keeps on expressing her indignation at the poor equipment of sportsmen:

They were not even goven a normal uniform… Can a jacket, windbreaker and pants cost 40 000 som? It is an insanity! Even shoes and hats were not included to the uniform. And there were reportedly 24 uniforms -FOR WHOM? Where are they all?

Flecha is full of hope:

There are always losers in competitions, those who finish last… I hope that during the next Olympic Games more athletes will be able to participate from our country and they have better luck. Funding and support from the government is of course horrible, but that is no reason for losing our hope…

Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images Europe