STRAHINJA ERIĆ, NORDIC SKIING COMPETITOR, READY FOR THE OLYMPICS IN ITALY

PALE, JANUARY 31 /SRNA/ – Strahinja Erić, a Nordic skiing competitor from Pale, a participant in the Winter Olympic Games in Italy to be held in February, told SRNA that he is heading to his second Olympic Games far more mature, better prepared, and mentally stronger than four years ago.

"These are my second Olympic Games and everything is completely different. Four years is not a short period. I’ve grown both mentally and physically. Today I think differently, and I believe I will handle the pressure much better," said Erić, a member of the Sarajevo–Istočno Sarajevo Ski Club from Pale.

He emphasizes that competing in numerous European Cups and World Championships between the two Olympic cycles has brought him valuable experience, helping him raise his level of fitness and self-confidence.

At the Olympic Games in Italy, he will compete in the sprint on February 10, as well as in the 10-kilometer race in both the classic and freestyle techniques, from which he has the highest expectations.

As his greatest motivation to remain in elite sport, Erić cites love alone, saying that if he had been seeking material gain, he would have quit long ago.

He added that skiing is a sport requiring major financial investment, that funds are often insufficient given how expensive everything is, and that without a systemic solution it is impossible to compete with the strongest nations, where athletes are backed by the state, a full support system, and large teams.

Speaking about the future, Erić said he would like to compete in the next Olympic Games as well, since the best results in Nordic skiing are achieved between the ages of 25 and 30.

"I want to give my maximum and see how far I can go. After the Olympics, normal life must continue," concluded Erić, who is a final-year student at the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport of the University of Istočno Sarajevo and plans to remain in sport as a coach.