Pärson slams Olympic security
Alpine star Anja Pärson of Sweden has hit out at overzealous security agents who stopped her ski serviceman from being allowed to adjust her skis just before Friday night's combined slaloms.
According to skiracing.com, Pärson, who is bidding to win a medal in the women's combined when the concluding downhill section is raced on Saturday, was reeling at the overbearing presence of security which meant there was no room for her serviceman in the start hut.
"Every time with the Olympic Games it is something," the 24-year-old Pärson after the two slalom runs were complete.
"On the first run people who should not be allowed at the start are at the start, trying to do something."
Security at the Olympics is tight, and everyone entering a venue must pass through scanning machines that are manned by the Italian carabinieri police.
However Pärson's serviceman Ales Sopotnik said there were so many police and security agents inside the start hut that he could not get near his athlete to finetune her race preparations.
"I could not go over there next to her and prepare the skis," said Sopotnik.
"All the other people were inside, like soldiers and police, and for me there was no room.
"It was a little pathetic. That was kind of the Italian show. It probably disturbed Anja a little bit, but Saturday is a different day."
Pärson sits fourth in the combined standings ahead of the decisive downhill, which will be held at 1400 local time.
Slalom specialist Marlies Schild of Austria leads the field with a 0.46sec lead on Kostelic.
Another Austrian, Kathrin Zettel, is sitting third at 0.53sec just ahead of Pärson, who is 0.84sec off Schild's pace.
AFP
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According to skiracing.com, Pärson, who is bidding to win a medal in the women's combined when the concluding downhill section is raced on Saturday, was reeling at the overbearing presence of security which meant there was no room for her serviceman in the start hut.
"Every time with the Olympic Games it is something," the 24-year-old Pärson after the two slalom runs were complete.
"On the first run people who should not be allowed at the start are at the start, trying to do something."
Security at the Olympics is tight, and everyone entering a venue must pass through scanning machines that are manned by the Italian carabinieri police.
However Pärson's serviceman Ales Sopotnik said there were so many police and security agents inside the start hut that he could not get near his athlete to finetune her race preparations.
"I could not go over there next to her and prepare the skis," said Sopotnik.
"All the other people were inside, like soldiers and police, and for me there was no room.
"It was a little pathetic. That was kind of the Italian show. It probably disturbed Anja a little bit, but Saturday is a different day."
Pärson sits fourth in the combined standings ahead of the decisive downhill, which will be held at 1400 local time.
Slalom specialist Marlies Schild of Austria leads the field with a 0.46sec lead on Kostelic.
Another Austrian, Kathrin Zettel, is sitting third at 0.53sec just ahead of Pärson, who is 0.84sec off Schild's pace.
AFP
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