Former Olympian Haralds Silovs expresses hope that Roberts Krūzbergs' bronze medal at the Olympic short track competition will inspire growth in the sport in Latvia.
Haralds Silovs, a former Olympian and now coach of the Netherlands national short track team, shared his thoughts in an interview on 'Rīta Panorāma', stressing the importance of developing short track skating in Latvia. He highlighted that the recent achievement by Roberts Krūzbergs, who won bronze in the 1500-meter event at the Olympics in Milan, is not only the first medal for Latvia in Olympic short track history but also the first Olympic winter sports medal won outside of traditional ice track competitions.
Silovs expressed his joy over Krūzbergs' accomplishment, indicating that such a milestone could inspire the younger generation to try short track skating. He believes that with Latvia's small population, there is untapped potential in short track, and such successes can encourage further investment and development of the sport. The excitement surrounding Krūzbergs' win is seen as a pivotal moment that could herald a broader interest and growth in winter sports in the country.
Furthermore, Silovs emphasizes the unique character of short track skating as a sport that suits Latvia, suggesting that the country has the capability to produce more talented athletes in this discipline. His optimism reflects a belief that with proper investment and encouragement, Latvia can cultivate its talents in winter sports, particularly in short track, fostering a new generation of athletes who may follow in Krūzbergs' footsteps.
