ALMATY. March 4. KAZINFORM /Daniyar Sikhimbayev/ "Hurrah, I arrived in Kazakhstan!", this phrase was the first one, which was said by owner of the silver medal on biathlon at the Vancouver Olympics Elena Khrustaleva. As earlier reported, a plane with the Kazakh delegation of athletes arrived in Almaty yesterday. Elena Khrustaleva answered some questions of journalists at the briefing. 

Several minutes after the finish you have waited for your fate. You have already ranked the second place and could suggest that other opponents run away you. What did you feel at that moment? What did you think of?   

I cannot remember those feelings; I went to change dress because it is very important to do it after a finish for fear of to get sick. Hence I was not abreast of the situation. I went out only when two participants continue to compete. But there were sport fans from Kazakhstan, heads of our delegation, and they distracted me from various thoughts. Hence I had no thrill. There was excitement about only one athlete from Poland, but she made a miss and I heard congratulations.

How did such 'fragile' girl win silver at the Olympics? What is needed to do for such results achievement?

First of all, it is necessary to train, to have great desire, patience and labor. Of course, very much depends on mood. Touching about a shooting, I shot 'four zero' to a second time. For the first time it was at the World Championship last year, and the second - at the Vancouver Olympics. For 'four zero' shooting it was necessary to make miss at another starts for mistakes understanding, and etc.

 I was not offended that there did not have 20 seconds for'gold'; a medal is a medal, and the 'gold', I think, I will win at the Olympics in Sochi.

Today you came to Almaty. What does Kazakhstan, Almaty oblast mean for you?

This is my Motherland. When the flag of our country is showed, I Feel a shiver, chill, and it excites me. I feel myself Kazakhstani.

What do you dream of on the threshold of the International Women's Day?

I want warmth, tenderness, recognition; have a family and children, love - all the usual women's dreams. I have many interests, but sport takes a major part of my life. Biathlon is my hobby. I am pleased that my work is my hobby as well.

What leaders of the world biathlon congratulated you? Are you friends with anybody of representatives of other teams?

Of course, I am friends with the Russians, athletes from Ukraine and Belarus. All leaders of the European biathlon congratulated me. They all were pleasantly surprised by my success.

What are your plans for the future?

I plan to take part in the Championship of Kazakhstan. As for the Asian Winter Games, I plan to rank 1 or 2 place. In the nearest time I want to have a rest on two-three days, but I intend to train, I will close season in the middle of April. And from the middle of May I will start preparation for the Asian Games, then - to the World Championship.