Mārtiņš Rubenis, one of the coaches of the Latvian luge team, made statements concerning the performances of Kristers Aparjods and Gints Bērziņš during the Olympic Games held in Milan and Cortina. Aparjods achieved a commendable fourth place in the competitions, while Bērziņš secured the tenth position. Rubenis emphasized that these placements are a direct reflection of their readiness at a world-class level and serve as objective evidence of their skills in comparison to global competitors.

Rubenis pointed out that the athletes faced tough competition, noting that those who finished ahead delivered outstanding runs. He stated that for Aparjods to contend for a medal, he had to perform at his absolute best. This highlights the rigorous nature of Olympic-level competition where split seconds can determine medal winners. Rubenis, a former Olympic medalist himself, reflected on the pain of finishing just outside the medal standings, describing the fourth place as potentially the hardest position to bear during the Olympics.

Despite the disappointment associated with missing out on a medal, Rubenis viewed this experience as a valuable lesson for Aparjods. He expressed optimism that this challenging outcome would serve as motivation for Aparjods to continue training diligently for future Olympic Games. The sentiment reflects a broader theme of resilience and learning from setbacks, essential qualities in elite sports, particularly in high-stakes environments like the Olympics.