News and Articles related to City of Sofia
Current date: 2009-11-22 08:16

An interview with Stefka Kostadinova after Sofia visit of Jacques Rogge

The future of sports in Bulgaria is in our hands. We should think about Olympic victories even in times of crisis, insists the president of the Bulgarian Olympic Committee Stefka Kostadinova.

Q: Mrs. Kostadinova, what is the 85th anniversary of the BOC an occasion for?
A: This is a very important occasion. It reminds us that thousands of Bulgarian athletes have left tracks of glory. Their lives are worthy of celebration. Boris Georgiev, Nicola Stanchev, Boyan Radev, Maria Grozdeva and many others are golden names in Bulgarian and international sports annals.

Q: IOC President Jacques Rogge had kind words for Bulgarian athletes…
A: The president of the IOC is someone with a realistic perception of their achievements and takes into account that the achievements of a small country like Bulgaria puts it next to the biggest ones. His visit in Sofia is a great honor. He motivates the BOC to implement its sports strategy effectively.

Q: You are among the best-loved Bulgarian athletes. Do you think we should be involved in sports in a time of crisis?
A: Not only that - sports are a way to overcome such a crisis. A healthy body is a healthy mind. A hardy personality can overcome any difficulties.

Q: Some sports fans humiliated themselves at the protests on January 14…
A: I think that for these guys sports are just an outlet for aggression. But namely sports can help them change their outlook on life. It is not only their fault. If there were more gyms in schools they might not be so aggressive.

Q: What is the future of sports in our country?
A: It is what we make it. We have many athletes with enormous potential. They need ways and means to improve and grow. We need a big change: to start with children, to allow them to play sports in school, to have an influence in universities and the business sector.