Skier Josh Dueck is trying to focus on Sochi.
The Paralympian from B.C. will be competing on Friday, but overshadowing the Games has been the political turmoil between Russia and Ukraine. Dueck said, as an athlete, that is something that is hard not to focus on.
Dueck said, in his opinion, most of the athletes would share in that feeling. “We love to play sports, we love to promote health and wellness to what we’re doing, but it’s hard to stay completely focused on that task when there’s so much attention and energy going into this political unrest.”
But the 33-year-old does not believe pulling out of the Games would accomplish much.
“We as the athletes have come here to do our job,” he said. “I can’t really see if I was to pull out and withdraw as an athlete how that would change what’s going on between Russia and the Ukraine.”
“I wish it would, and if it would maybe I would seriously contemplate that, but the reality is, if I pull out after four years of hard work to make a political statement, I don’t think it would be heard, and if I do pull out I think all the energy that I put into promoting wellness, and sport and health would go away.”
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Dueck said security in Sochi is tight, and that the atmosphere can be colder because of it, but security forces are just doing their job.
The Kimberley native won a silver medal in slalom during the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver, and he’s hoping for at least another medal this time around.
“I’ve had a great career,” he said, “and I think all of those moments added up have prepared me for the moments ahead.”
He said he wants to be on the podium in Sochi, and if possible on the top of that podium.
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