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Russian freestyle skier Ridzik wins 2022 Olympics bronze in ski-cross event

The gold and silver medals were coined by Switzerland

Sergey Ridzik AP Photo/Lee Jin-man

Sergey Ridzik

© AP Photo/Lee Jin-man

ZHANGJIAKOU /China/, February 18. /TASS/. Russian freestyle skier Sergey Ridzik won bronze on Friday at the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing in men’s ski-cross competition.

The gold went to Switzerland’s Ryan Regez and the silver was coined by his teammate Alex Fiva. Erik Mobaerg of Sweden finished 4th in the big final of the ski-cross competition.

Speaking to journalists after the competition, Ridzik said he was glad to snatch the Olympic bronze, but disappointed at the same time for failing to win the gold.

"Today’s bronze makes the history for me personally, for my team, for my country," he said speaking at a news conference. "We set the highest aim, which was to win the gold, but another athlete grabbed it today. I am happy, but disappointed a little bit at the same time."

Ridzik is 29 years old and he also holds the bronze medal in the ski-cross competition at the 2018 Winter Olympic Games in PyeongChang.

Read also

Team ROC wins two medals on Day 13 of 2022 Olympics; stays 9th in medal standings

The Russian athlete also said it was much harder to win the bronze today compared to the Winter Games in South Korea, because "PyeongChang had some sense of euphoria and it was warmer there."

Ridzik added that he was worn out by the Olympics in China telling journalists that "I should go now, undergo a test for doping and then head home. At least, I want to give a phone call to my wife."

Team ROC (the Russian Olympic Committee) is currently 9th in the overall medal standings of the 2022 Olympics boasting five gold, nine silver and 13 bronze medals (27 in total).

Team Norway tops the 2022 Winter Olympics medal standings with 15 gold, eight silver and 11 bronze medals (34 in total). Germany is 2nd with 10 gold, seven silver and five bronze medals (22 in total). Team USA is in 3rd place with eight gold, eight silver and five bronze medals (21 in total).

The 2022 Winter Olympic Games in the Chinese capital of Beijing are running on February 4-20. During the 128th IOC session in Kuala Lumpur on July 31, 2015, Beijing was chosen to host the 2022 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games making the Chinese capital the first city ever to host both the Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games (in 2008) as well as the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games (in 2022).

Russian athletes at Beijing-2022

Due to international sanctions against Russian sports, athletes from Russia are competing in the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing under the flag and logo of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) instead of the Russian national flag and state emblem.

The national anthem of Russia is also under sanctions at the Olympics in China. The First Piano Concerto by Pyotr Tchaikovsky was selected to be played at awarding ceremonies for Russian Olympians in Beijing.

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