Venezuelan skier Adrian Solano made a splash at the World Championships in Lahti. “You can do it, don’t give up”: a Venezuelan skier spoke about Russian support after the World Cup But it wasn’t just a real prison

Women's sprint

Since 2011, the gold medal in individual women's sprints has always gone to Marit Bjorgen. This year, the Norwegian athlete, having been eliminated in the quarterfinals, was unable to extend her winning streak. But the gold still went to Norway. Maiken Falla, the leader of the sprint standings this season, expectedly won the final race, in which the Norwegian's main rivals, Stina Nilsson and Natalia Matveeva, were absent. Both athletes failed to advance from the semi-finals due to dramatic falls. Swedish media claim that Matveeva is to blame for this situation, for some reason remembering her doping past, which has nothing to do with the current situation.

Men's sprint

There were some falls in the men's races as well. The condition of the track left much to be desired. At the beginning of the race of the first quarterfinals, Sergei Ustyugov fell, and at the end of the same race, Alexander Bolshunov. The 20-year-old world championship debutant was doing well along the distance, but due to a fall he was relegated to last place in the race. All the winners of the men's sprint not only ran in the same semi-final, but also took exactly the same places in it as in the final race.

Federico Pellegrino became world champion for the first time. Known for his strong finishes, the winner of many sprint races over the last two seasons won the long-awaited gold medal at the main event of the season. Sergei Ustyugov and Johannes Klabo, silver and bronze medalists of the race, were dissatisfied with their performances. They only counted on victory. So Sergei Ustyugov said after the race that he was upset and felt a sense of annoyance.

There's no point in congratulating me because I should have won gold

Venezuelan skier

The Internet star was Venezuelan skier Adrian Solano, who was the first to start on February 22 in the 10 km qualifying race. classic style. He failed to reach the finish line, but he was able to give positive emotions to the audience. However, the Venezuelan himself was not too upset about the unsuccessful performance. “I fell a lot, but most importantly, I always got up,” Adrian wrote on his Instagram. A few days ago, a Venezuelan skier was detained at Paris airport due to suspicion of drug smuggling. His participation in the World Cup was in jeopardy. Adrian had to return to Venezuela. A fundraiser was opened on gofundme.com to purchase a second ticket to Finland. In 3 days, 170 people donated 4,060 euros to make the dream of a Venezuelan skier come true. The initiator of the collection was the Finnish businessman and sports manager Aleksi Valavuori. The Venezuelan was touched by the attention of strangers to his problem.

I saw snow for the first time! I felt like a little boy. Until the very end, I couldn’t believe that I would finally get to Finland. Many thanks to all those who helped me make my dream come true

Venezuelan Adrian Solano, in an interview with R-Sport agency correspondent Sergei Smyshlyaev, talked about how he ended up in ski racing, how the French border guards did not believe him and how his determination impressed the coach of the Russian Paralympians, and also shared his plans for the future.

The first question that probably interests everyone: why did you choose professional sports, or rather ski racing?

The fact is that I spent about a year racing roller skis under the guidance of my coach Cesar Baena. By the way, I met him at one of the conferences in Venezuela, so he suggested to all the guys who were there that if anyone wants to try themselves in roller skiing, then, as they say, you are welcome. Most said: "What the hell!" And I reacted to this proposal with enthusiasm, because I always liked to choose difficult paths, something that is not generally accepted. Many people were surprised why I needed this, but I liked it. That's how I decided to devote myself to ski racing.

- How old were you then?

Almost turned 21, and now I'm 22 years old.

- Were you into any other sports before?

Seriously - no. But, like all young people, he played baseball, football, something that is popular in Venezuela. In general, when I turned 18, I went to the military academy, I studied there for a year and a half, lived in camps, and mastered parachute jumping.

At this point in the conversation, the leader of the Russian national team, Sergei Ustyugov, entered the hotel lobby, smiling at the sight of the already world-famous Venezuelan. By the way, the Latino himself was noticeably embarrassed, although he tried not to show it.

Grand plans

- What are your plans for the future? Is ski racing a hobby, or do you still set global goals for yourself?

Now this hobby has grown into grandiose plans. I used to think: “Well, I’m working out, it’s still something useful.” On weekends, my friends invited me to go out, but I chose to workout. And gradually this hobby grew into a full-fledged goal in life. And I want to continue skiing for a long time.

Tell us about your coach, in Russia he is quite famous for his appeal to President Vladimir Putin in 2014 with a request to be allowed to participate in the Olympic Games in Sochi.

He has been competing seriously since 2009, he also has a record for the most kilometers on roller skis, and in general he has won many international competitions. Of course, not as much as the Russians win, because you have snow six months a year, and not a single day in Venezuela (laughs).

- How did you prepare for the World Championships in Lahti?

I planned to spend a month of training in Sweden. But in the end I arrived in Finland only this week. The story turned out to be funny. I landed in France on January 16th and had to leave back to Venezuela on January 24th. I spent five days in a special waiting area for foreigners who want to enter France because the local authorities did not believe me that I had come to compete in the World Ski Championships.

- They write that you had only 28 euros with you...

Yes, but the thing is that Cesar has an apartment in Stockholm, so he, his brother and the team took care of the expenses for my accommodation, and I was only required to pay for the air tickets. The rest is up to the guys. But they didn’t believe me. And on January 20, after the court hearing, they released me and told me that I could continue my journey. But my ticket to Stockholm was no longer valid, because it was purchased on a promotion and could not be exchanged. I didn't have a cent of those 28 euros left in my pocket because I had to buy phone cards to contact my family and Cesar. And at 10 pm I found myself on the street in Paris, and where to go?

- And where?

I called the Venezuelan consulate, and within 15 minutes a consulate representative found me in the city center. They rented me a hotel, but the next day I found out that the air ticket was non-refundable. So all I had left was a return ticket to Venezuela, booked for March 12th. It was necessary to use it to return home. But the next flight was in a few days, so I spent Saturday, Sunday and Monday in France. Many people joked later, saying that I had a good time in Paris, posting photos, for example, with the Eiffel Tower. But that's not true. For five days before my release, I ate only bread and water, not even having the opportunity to change into clean clothes.

"I laugh at my falls in Lahti"

- But it wasn’t a real prison, was it?

Not really. Just a zone that could not be left. Although it looked like a prison, considering that the room was small and there were about forty people inside.

- So it turns out that you were not deported in the full sense of the word?

No, they weren't deported. Although during those five days they offered me: “Either go to Venezuela, or stay here.” I chose the second option because I was reaching my goal. I was lucky that on the FIS website there is a profile of an athlete who is going to the World Championships, and I was able to present this document to the court. But, as it turned out, everything was already lost. And until this Monday I was sure that I had missed my chance to go to Lahti and take part in the championship. Although it wasn’t the best performance (laughs), I take it all with humor and laugh at how I fell on the track. It was crazy how I fell! But these falls motivated me and gave me strength. And next time, I’m sure, I won’t fall like that.

Nope! (Smiles) The Olympic Games is when I will feel more prepared. And here everything happened very quickly. I got off the plane at three in the morning and lost a lot of time at the airport talking to journalists. In general, I have never felt so much attention to my person in my life. And at seven in the morning I arrived at the stadium.

- And saw snow for the first time in your life?

Yes. That is why I wanted to come to Stockholm in advance to get acquainted with the snow. But in the end I arrived and thought: “What the hell? Where am I anyway!” I’m standing near the stadium, and they’re already calling me over the speakerphone: “Adrian Solano, Adrian Solano, a minute before the start!” And I’m standing there like a fool, in jeans and regular shoes. The coach takes out his uniform from his suitcase and shouts: “Get dressed!” I had to undress right in front of the cameras, put on my suit and run to the start. I even forgot to secure the poles on my hands. There was still panic!

- Were the skis already prepared?

Skis - yes. But you understand, skis and roller skis are not the same thing at all. Absolutely.

"I feel happy"

- As Russian Anton Gafarov told me, it’s like a skier getting on skates.

When you ride roller skates on the asphalt, the sun is shining, it’s hot... And then you find yourself in the cold, snow... It’s completely different! As for physical activity, there is no difference, the same muscles work, but technically! You don’t know how to go down the mountain correctly, or how to brake. Braking is especially difficult. I planned to learn all this in a month, but it didn’t work out.

In Russia you have already become a hero, they write about you in the media, discuss you on the Internet. Are you already used to such increased attention?

No, I'm not used to it yet. But I feel happy, I feel proud. All of Russia was with me, this is unimaginable support. You can't imagine how many messages I received. The coach of Russian Paralympians even wrote to me: “Adrian Solano? Welcome to my home. I can train you, I don’t need any money, it’s just very interesting, you inspire with your determination.” And there are a lot of such messages.

- Does all this add motivation?

Certainly. I think that it doesn’t matter how much bad you hear. What matters is how much good there is. It gives me strength, all this positivity. And if you fall, the task is to get up. And I'm happy. Yes, I didn’t travel all 10 kilometers, but it was a great experience. And this is the beginning of the story of Venezuelan skier Adrian Solano! And one day I will come to the Olympics.

"I want to know Russia"

Our conversation was interrupted by a phone call, after which Solano returned not very happy.

They called from a Venezuelan newspaper, trying to trick me into using bad words against one of the parties. I don't like this.

Since the conversation turned to politics, many in Russia treated the Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez very well, but at the same time there were a sufficient number of his ardent opponents. I would like to hear your opinion.

Like many Venezuelans, I was born and raised in what we call "the revolution." And I think Chavez is a great politician. His ideals and aspirations are unique. He was a great strategist, a very smart person, who combined the best qualities. And I am proud to have been born in his time. But now I would like our country to be as advanced as many others. Venezuela is a rich country, so much oil, beautiful nature, beautiful women. We can become a great country. And I urge all Venezuelans not to think about political directions, not to be party people, but to think about the country.

- It all depends on the person himself.

Yes, from what you do yourself. You need to start with yourself, then the surrounding reality will change.

- What do you know about Russia?

It is a great power with high military potential. And although many say that Russians, and many Europeans, are very callous, this is not so. Based on messages on social networks, I realized that this is not true. In general, Russia has every chance to be even stronger and have enormous weight on the world stage. I would really like to get to know Russian culture better, to get to know Russia from the inside.

- So, it’s time to come to Russia?

Of course, it's definitely necessary. But we have to wait a little. I'll return to Venezuela and make a plan for the future. It will take about a month.

Venezuelan skier Adrian Solano said that he himself laughed when he watched a video of his performance in qualifying for the 10-kilometer race at the World Championships in Lahti, Finland.

- I arrived in Finland at three o’clock in the morning on the day of the competition. So I started skiing for the first time just five hours before the race. That's when I saw snow for the first time. I was happy like a boy, as if I was in a Christmas fairy tale. The first thing I did was make a snowman and take a photo with him,” Solano said. “I laughed out loud myself when I watched the video of my performance. I was especially pleased with the moment when I dived face first into the snow. And the technique of sliding down the slopes when I squatted down is also quite unusual, one might say that I have patented it.

https://twitter.com/ZyraxesRex/status/835095116901670912

The 22-year-old skier got into trouble before arriving in Finland. In Paris, the athlete was detained on suspicion of drug smuggling.

- I arrived in Paris with 29 euros in my pocket. When at passport control I showed the invitation to participate in the World Championship, no one believed me, I was placed in prison for five days right at the airport, and then spent three days waiting for the city court. After the hearing, I had to leave France and fly back to Venezuela.

Adrian Solano's coach is his older brother, the first ever Venezuelan skier, Baena Solano.

- He has been roller skiing for about a year. He has a certain talent. I hope that he will have a chance to compete at the Olympic Games,” Baena said. - Me, my brother and he created a team. Adrian is still young, he is in excellent physical shape, and serves in the army. I think he can reach a good level.

Venezuelan skier Adrian Solano forever went down in history as the most inept athlete in the history of the world championships. Can you imagine a runner falling several times and not making it to the

finish line or did the swimmer drown during the swim? Even the first famous exotic skier Philip Boit looked quite tolerable on the track and lost in the “top ten” to the great Bjorn Daly a little over 20 minutes. And the famous Jamaican bobsledders from the film “Tight Turns” eventually got out of all troubles and showed quite a decent result.

Solano looked more like a character from another movie. Remember the old Soviet comedy "Penalty Kick", where a boxer was confused with a figure skater and forced to skate? The guy made the audience laugh so much with his endless falls that he was given first place for his brilliantly directed and performed parody. Solano also received his People's Choice Award. For a couple of days he managed to outshine the real heroes: Northuga, Ustyugov, Bjorgen...

Silver Sprint. How Ustyugov became vice-world champion

The World Ski Championships have started in Finland. Sergei Ustyugov won a silver medal in the sprint on the first day.

Terrorist or drug dealer?

Each of us would probably say that we could have performed better. I have no doubt about this; after all, we see snow every year. But the Venezuelan “guy in the purple sombrero,” who dreams of a snowy country, until this year only skated on roller skis, and then with the help of a peculiar technique. Before the World Championships, he planned to spend a month in Sweden, learn skiing and adequately represent his homeland at the world forum.

Venezuelan skier Adrian Solano will forever go down in history as the most inept athlete in the history of the world championships. Can you imagine a runner falling several times and not making it to the finish line or a swimmer drowning during a race?

However, the plans of the 22-year-old adventurer were not destined to come true. Having spent all his money on a ticket to Europe, he was only able to show the French customs officers a measly 28 euros. The Venezuelan was initially mistaken for a drug dealer or terrorist, which, thanks to his characteristic appearance, he actually looked a little like. At best, he could be mistaken for a refugee, since there are now plenty of people willing to leave the “socialist paradise” of Venezuela. When the staff at Charles de Gaulle Airport heard that he was a skier, they began laughing loudly and waving their arms. They say that no drug dealer has ever made an excuse like this.

Towards the dream

However, Solano would hardly have chosen such a difficult sport for a southern person if he had not been persistent by nature. He proved his innocence (Venezuela even expressed a note of protest about this), collected enough money from the world for a new ticket, and finally arrived in Lahti shortly before the competition. There was no time to learn how to ride, but it was not in vain that Adrian traveled halfway across the globe to end up in Finland.

When the staff at Charles de Gaulle Airport heard that he was a skier, they began laughing loudly and waving their arms. They say that no drug dealer has ever made an excuse like this.

He went to the start and drove a whole 6 km, delighting the spectators with a lot of incredible somersaults, and when he broke the stick and received a new one from the servicer, he did not know how to use it. Now Solano is a star. Quite serious athletes and coaches take selfies with him, and experts discuss whether skiing needs its own Charlie Chaplin. This is actually a stupid question - if Solano hadn't made it to Finland, it would have been worth inventing.

Why does Sherlock Holmes need Doctor Watson?

Many detective fans sometimes wonder why the great detectives Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot are helped by such idiotic klutzes as Dr. Watson or Captain Hastings? The answer is simple - they are needed not by the masters themselves, but by us, the readers, in order to understand in contrast the true greatness of Holmes and at the same time realize that even with our modest mental abilities we would certainly not get lost in the role of Watson.

Ski racing, which is rapidly losing popularity every year against the backdrop of blossoming biathlon, will now receive incomparably more attention, and Solano himself has become Doctor Watson for all of us.

Likewise, Solano gave skiing incredible publicity with his performance. Ski racing, which is rapidly losing popularity every year against the backdrop of blossoming biathlon, will now receive incomparably more attention, and Solano himself has become Doctor Watson for all of us. Looking at his performances, we can believe in our abilities, get to the nearest amateur slope, put on our skis and slide down the hill several times without ever falling, shouting: “Hey, what a talent is wasted. But he could fit in some Papua New Guinea national team.”

— Let's talk about a video that gained a huge number of views on social networks in a short time. What feelings and memories do you have when you watch this recording?

— This video brings back a lot of feelings and memories associated with that moment. I had almost no chance, and I couldn’t imagine that this could happen - it was so easy to get off the plane, get to the competition and become the most talked about participant! At that moment I did not understand what was happening. But among all the feelings that I experienced, there was one that completely overwhelmed me, and that was the desire to take risks, to go forward.

— Why did you decide to become a skier, being from a country on the Caribbean coast? Why did you choose skiing, since it cannot be called a national sport for Venezuelans?

- How can I tell you... I have three names - my name is Adrian Alejandro Mauricio, and for that reason I am not quite an ordinary person. I don't like what most people like. Others choose football, baseball, but I chose skiing! Skiing seems to me like something completely different from what other people like. That's why I decided to do it. I could not even imagine that I would achieve what I have achieved today, and that I would dream about what I want to achieve tomorrow.

— How did you get to the championship? To take part in it, you had to go through an entire adventure! And how did it happen that you became one of the best Venezuelan skiers in the world?

— I was the leader of the Bolivarian Student Organization in the state of Aragua and at one of the student meetings in which I participated, there was Cesar (Cesar Baena, a Venezuelan skier. — RT). When the meeting ended, he approached the guys and asked them who wanted to participate in the championship. At that time I was starting to roller ski. Cesar's words about skiing inspired and touched me, and I told him: “I am ready to take part in the championship with you, I would like to practice and see how it all happens.” Since this all started.

— You came to Finland, where you performed as number one. And there, as they say, you showed everything you are capable of. Did you have to work hard to achieve this goal?

— They gave me the first number, and it was incredible. I look at Cesar, they say something to him in English, and I see what a frightened expression he has on his face. I ask: “What happened?”, and Cesar answers me: “You have five minutes to change clothes.” I just arrived at the stadium and they tell me that I have five minutes to change because I have to compete as number one. I didn’t believe it: “What? So I’ll be the first one the audience sees?” I opened games. Then photos appeared on the Internet, there was a fuss, but already at that moment I realized that this would affect the rest of my life. If I don't go out, I'll lose everything. But I felt that if I went out and lost, I would still win. I'll get the experience, or at least the satisfaction, of having done it.

— Some people criticize you, others, on the contrary, consider you a hero.

— While I was in Finland, they called me a hero, a star, even a superstar! Wherever I was, people took pictures with me and congratulated me. This motivated me a lot and I was incredibly happy because people saw my falls not as failure, but as an opportunity to get back on their feet. When I arrived in Venezuela, all I heard addressed to me was that I was the worst and stuff like that. Look at my Instagram page, it is publicly available, read all the terrible things that are written not only about me, but also about my entire family.

— Your case also turned out to be politicized. Opposition leaders have been critical of your experience. Is this avalanche of negative comments on your page related to the political context that was given to your story?

— The fact is that in Venezuela many things are politicized, which in fact should not be so. This applies to art, sports, science. All these areas must remain neutral because in one way or another they all contribute to the prosperity of Venezuela. This is what represents our country in the world, and it should not have political overtones; on the contrary, it should enjoy the support of the entire country.

— Is it true that some coaches, seeing this feat of yours, offered you their support? Including from Russia.

- Yes, I adore Russians! On my Instagram I received so many messages from people living in Russia. They wrote to me - come on, you can do it, congratulations, don’t give up, keep trying.

— Can you name a specific coach?

— Unfortunately, I don’t remember the names. But I can say that when the competition ended, I came to my room, Cesar was sitting next to me, and I was looking through social networks, and he translated what they wrote to me in Russian. And suddenly I see that the wife of one coach writes to me and says that she is very proud of me and that her husband is coaching the Russian Paralympic team. And that he and his family are ready to host me at home and train me completely free of charge.

— How do you feel after this development of events? Was the game worth the candle?

- Cost my life! This is true. People ask me why I didn’t withdraw from the competition, if I had no experience, why did I decide? There are two reasons for this. The first is because the one who refuses loses more than the one who tries. The second is because after I decided, without really knowing what awaits me, I have the opportunity to learn from mistakes. This is what I wanted.