CORTINA D’AMPEZZO – Polish skier Maryna Gasienica-Danielová will follow in Cortina d’Ampezzo after 70 years the start of her relatives who took part in the 1956 Olympic Games in this Italian winter resort.
At that time, her great-uncle Andrzej competed in ski jumping, great-aunt Helena was a cross-country runner, and another great-aunt Maria competed in alpine skiing, which Maryna also does.
Andrzej Gasienica-Daniel was the best of them in Cortina, who took 20th place on the bridge. Thirty-one-year-old Maryna has higher ambitions for her fourth Olympics. Four years ago in Beijing, she finished eighth in the giant slalom, and this season she was in fifth place twice in the World Cup.
“I feel like it’s coming full circle,” Maryna was quoted by the Reuters agency. “Every time I come to Cortina, I imagine that they are here with me. They would definitely be cheering me on.” added.
To make matters worse, two other family members also made an appearance at the Olympic Games. Józef Gasienica-Daniel started in 1968 in Grenoble in Nordic combined, Maryna’s older sister Agnieszka also competed in Vancouver 2010 in downhill skiing.
“We come from Zakopane. It’s a winter resort and there’s not much to do there except for sports. It was our destiny to become a sports family.” said the Polish representative.
- Author: © List/
- Source: CTK
