Series09 Feb 2010


Dobrynska, newly crowned Miss Sport of Ukraine, escapes Kiev frost for sunny Crimea

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Natalya Dobrynska long jumping in 2009 Decaster in Talence (© Hans van Kuijen)

As the unusual frost affected her home city of Kiev, Olympic Heptathlon champion Natalia Dobrynska has been forced to leave for the sunny Crimea to continue her preparation for the upcoming World Indoor Championships in Doha. Recently crowned Ukraine’s Miss Sport, Dobrynska is now looking forward to the main competition of her season.

“Hi everybody,

“I am now in the Crimea by the Black Sea, but it is far too cold for swimming. This place is a famous summer resort but in winter there is no talk of sunbathing! Actually I was forced to leave Kiev due to the cold temperatures. It was so cold outside that I could not get warm even in the indoor stadium. Maybe the heating was not strong enough, I don’t know... But training on the cold track did not feel great. So I decided to move to the Crimea. It is still too cold for training outdoors, but at least indoors it is warm. These frosts are actually quite unusual for Ukraine. So I am happy I am finally training in warm conditions.

“My training is going very well. The main thing is that I am healthy. I am knocking on wood three times so not to put the evil eye on it! I am going to do my first competition of the season on 17 February at the Ukrainian championships. I have not decided yet if I will compete in the Pentathlon or just some separate disciplines. It will all depend on my shape at that moment. There is enough time left before the World Indoors. I need this season opening just to check some things in my preparation.

“Although Doha is now my main focus and I have already accepted the invitation from the IAAF, I had to take another brief break in my trainings. In fact I have recently won the photo contest, “Miss Sport of Ukraine”, can you believe it!

“It was totally unexpected and very pleasant for me. Among my so called competitors there were lots of female athletes, from different kinds of sport. First the final was decided by people voting on the website, and then the special jury composed from our famous veteran athletes selected the winner. The victory ceremony was broadcast live and in the end I received a huge crown. It was so special – being on a popular TV show, in an evening dress and with the crown. It really gave me inspiration for further training.

“Another thing on the agenda for me apart from the track are the coming Winter Olympics. The Ukrainian team is not big but I think I personally know half of the athletes there. I will keep my fingers crossed for them.

“I was recently watching the farewell ceremony on TV when our team was leaving for Vancouver and remembered my own feeling when I was on their place two years ago. This was the beginning of one of the best things in my life. I hope all the effort and pain will pay off for our Olympians in Vancouver.

Take care,
Natalia
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