site.btaBiathlete Todorova Leaves Olympics With Mixed Feelings

Biathlete Milena Todorova said on Saturday that she left the Milano-Cortina Olympic Games with mixed feelings after her final race.

The 28-year-old finished 20th in the women’s 12.5km mass start in Antholz-Anterselva and again expressed regret about narrowly missing a medal in the 7.5km sprint, where she placed fourth.

“I have mixed feelings about these Olympics. I’m a bit disappointed that I let the medal slip away in the sprint because of a mistake in the prone shoot. Now I appreciate even more the opportunity I had. But just over a month ago, I left the national team camp right here because I was in really bad health, and I honestly thought I wouldn’t make it to the Games, so...,” Todorova said.

Todorova said she plans to compete for at least two more years and will decide what comes next after that.

“I’ve already said I’m not thinking about the next Olympic Games yet, because I’m not getting any younger. I’m focused more on the next two years. After that, I’ll decide. I also have a family, and in the end, beyond sport, family comes first. So I’ll commit to the next two years, and then we’ll see. I’m not rushing the decision, but I have other priorities in my life, and in our family a lot depends on what’s happening at home. Now that I have a child, I prefer to take it year by year. That’s what I’ve done so far, because we didn’t know how things would be after I gave birth. I’m really happy with how the last few years have worked out for me,” Todorova said.

“Honestly, I’ve always relied on discipline and motivation. I don’t think I have much natural talent, but thanks to them I’ve come this far in sport. I hope it stays that way. I’ll hold on to them and keep climbing,” Todorova added, tears in her eyes.