Remarks collected by Jean-Michel Lachance

How do you start speed skating?

I started skating when I was about five years old and I was a figure skater for quite a while. But suddenly I decided to quit figure skating. I was 12 at that time. My father got very angry about my decision and gave me a 2 weeks ultimatum to choose between short track and ice hockey. I choose short track and a after a week took part on my first short track competition. I liked it very much and got keen on it right away. I haven't been on ice last three months because of health problems, and now I'm recovering mostly in the gym.

What is your best and worst moment in speed skating?

My best moment is the winter of 2000-2001. I felt in my best shape then, despite my fastest times are from the past season. I also appreciated when we set the national 5000m relay record in Beijing, China, in November 2002.

My worst moment is the European Championships in Holland 2004. I had to race in the relay, but I was in my worst shape. The previous two months, I was concentrating on school and exams; I just was not the man. For the job, we were racing against the Nederland team, and got very badly beaten up. I was completely out of the ice; not enough air, not enough power, not good in techniques.

Before your health problems, does qualification for the Torino games was a goal?

Off course, this was my main goal. I wanted badly to be part of the relay team, and month before the qualifications I was in the relay team. In Torino Radanova is going for Bulgaria, and Assen Pandov will be part of the Olympics if another qualified skater does not want to participate or just can't participate (injury or other circumstances). He will take his place. We've sent a relay team to the qualifications, but couldn't make to the Olympics.

Do you finish study, what was your school program?

I'm still a university student. I attended to all lectures, and right now I have to take my final exam to get my BS in Computer Science and maybe I will continue to take a MS degree too. I'm planning to take the exam in September this year.

After your sport career, what do you plan to do?

I will continue skating no matter how, but dancing looks pretty attractive to me to try myself in, martial arts also. Sports are part of me, part of my daily schedule. I can't live without them. I have a dream of making the short track a completely professional sport, a show just like Wrestle Mania, a colourful and exciting show, but on ice. I will continue skating, no matter how and no matter what.

Find the continuation of the interview tomorrow

Photo: Bulgarian athletes at a medal ceremony
Credit: Official Site Of Bulgarian Skating Federation