site.btaBulgarian Olympic Committee President-Elect: Entering Olympic Village Is Perhaps Most Exciting Moment for Athletes

Vesela Lecheva, President-elect of the Bulgarian Olympic Committee, said that competing at the Olympics is the most thrilling moment for any athlete and the most grand sporting event in the world.

Lecheva gave an interview to Bulgarian media from the Olympic Village in Milan just hours before the opening of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. The opening ceremony is scheduled for this evening at San Siro at 9:00 pm Bulgarian time. Lecheva will attend as an official guest together with Bulgaria’s head of State, Iliana Iotova.

"This is perhaps the most exciting moment for any athlete who is taking part in the Olympic Games for the first time - to enter the Olympic Village, where athletes from all over the world, the very best, come together. It is an unforgettable memory for every one of them," Lecheva said.

"Only a few hours separate us from the opening of the Olympic Games. This is the biggest, most magnificent sporting event in the world, watched by millions and sometimes billions of viewers. We can expect something spectacular - a show of art, culture and style. But above all, what everyone will remember are the smiles on the faces of the athletes as they parade at San Siro. These are moments to remember for a lifetime," she added.

Lecheva and Iotova attended an official dinner last night at the invitation of International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry.

"The dinner was for all national Olympic committees, their presidents and guests of the IOC. There were more than 40 heads of state, which shows the level of this major sporting event. I am glad that Ms Iotova accepted the invitation and came to be part of this forum. It is important for Bulgaria to be present at such events, we have a rich Olympic history, many medalists and many reasons for pride," Lecheva said. She added that among the guests at their table were Gianni Infantino and basketball legend Pau Gasol, along with other figures who have left a lasting mark on sports history.

Lecheva said she also exchanged views with Coventry and several presidents of national Olympic committees, including Romania’s, on the upcoming European Olympic Games next year.

After the opening ceremony, the BOC President-elect will travel to Livigno, where the parallel giant slalom events in alpine snowboarding are scheduled for February 8. Bulgaria will be represented by Tervel Zamfirov, Radoslav Yankov, Alexander Krashniak and Malena Zamfirova - athletes who carry Bulgaria’s strongest hopes of ending a 20-year medal drought at the Winter Games.

"After the opening we are heading to Livigno. We are looking forward to the start of our best snowboarders on February 8. I’m in touch with their coaches, the preparation is going well, the athletes are in good spirits. They are young, talented and successful, with the confidence of winners, and rightly so given their achievements over the past year," Lecheva said.

She noted that these Games will be spread across four separate clusters for the first time, a choice aligned with environmental standards and cost efficiency. "This is the IOC’s approach - to use existing venues," she added.

Lecheva said she would gladly live again in the Olympic Village, recalling fond memories from her own career. A former sport shooter, she won two Olympic silver medals - at Seoul 1988 (50m rifle three positions) and Barcelona 1992 (10m air rifle).