by Little L
Sat Mar 25th, 2006 at 10:13:39 AM EST
The Bulgarian ice dancing couple Albena Denkova and Maxim Stavsiki finally got compensated for the unfair judgment that ranked them on the fifth place at the Olympic Games in Turin last month by winning the golden medal at the World Championship in Calgary. This is the biggest success ever in Bulgaria's ice skating history and one of the notable moments for our country's sport.
Denkova and Staviski have been a sports couple since 1996, and ever since they have been in the world ice skating elite, but they had never made it to the top before that. The couple can also boast silver medals from the European and third and second place in the world championships in 2003 and 2004.
Their victory makes me feel extremely proud that I am Bulgarian. In Bulgaria, there is only one ice skating rink, where skaters can practice, and the funding they get is anything but enough to cover their expenses as elite sportspersons. But they gave us all a lesson that is worth remembering: hard work and stubbornness eventually pays back. Strong will and high spirits are essential for success. Good if Bulgarian politicians could also get this message.