By Hritika Sharma
BEIJING (Reuters) – Norwegian curler Kristin Skaslien already has an Olympic bronze medal in her trophy cabinet but is determined to finally experience the joy of winning a medal contest in Beijing.
Skaslien and her husband Magnus Nedregotten exited the mixed doubles competition four years ago in Pyeongchang after losing the bronze medal match to Russians Anastasia Bryzgalova and Alexander Krushelnitsky.
However, Krushelnitsky later tested positive for the banned substance meldonium and the Norwegian pair were subsequently awarded the third-placed finish.
“Luckily we got to go back last time and get the moment on the podium and not receive the medal in the mail afterwards,” Skaslien told reporters on Tuesday.
“But of course we lost the moment of winning a medal game so that would be huge, if we could have that moment now.”
Having claimed silver at last year’s world championships, Nedregotten was optimistic about their medal hopes at the Games when they kick off their campaign against Czech newcomers Zuzana Paulova and Tomas Paul on Wednesday.
“Last time, we were a little bit edgy and nervous,” Nedregotten said. “But the first game we played was against Canada, the big favourite, and we won that one.
“We feel confident that we have done everything we can up to this point… It’ll be fun going out on the ice.”
(Reporting by Hritika Sharma; Editing by Nick Macfie)
