Cathy Yulender almost went astray with joy, having learned that because of the removal of Russian athlete Elena Nikitina she will get a bronze medal of the Winter Olympic Games in Sochi. The new winner of the award admitted that she can not believe that what happened is a reality. "When I heard the news, I could not understand anything. I was half asleep. I said to the coach: "Is this a dream? Or is it true?" And then emotions flooded. My heart is broken, but at the same time you know what I feel? Sometimes a good person wins. I cried 8 million times. I ran all morning, did not understand what was happening, "- poured skeletonistka flow of their experiences on the correspondents of ESPN. Julender expressed regret that until this day did not live a member of the US national bobsled team Stephen Holcomb, who died in May of this year at the age of 37 years. "He would be happy. He would break into my room and wake me up. I miss him, "said the skeletonist. At the same time, she went to Elena Nikitina, whom the International Olympic Committee (IOC) accused of violating the anti-doping rules during the 2014 Olympics. "Now it is not easy for me to see that Nikitin continues to compete. But I will try to focus on what I believe in, and will enjoy the season. I will concentrate on my sincerity and honor. I got a charge of energy, I'm healthy and I know that I can do it. The stone fell from my shoulders. Now I want to rise on the podium and feel the moment that I missed, "- said Julender. The fact that Elena Nikitina was deprived of the bronze award of the Sochi Games, became known on Wednesday, November 22. Together with her Olympic medal lost another Russian skeletonist, Alexander Tretyakov. IOC canceled the results of their performances in Sochi, as well as the results of two more members of our national team - Maria Orlova and Olga Potylitsyna. All four athletes for life were banned from participating in the Olympic Games. Prior to this, the IOC Commission adopted a similar decision with respect to Russian skiers. They also took Olympic medals. At such rates, the Russian team may lose the championship in the medal standings at the Games of 2014.

Today it became known that the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) temporarily suspended Nikitin, Tretyakov, Orlov and Potylitsyn from all competitions. The bobsled Federation of Russia called such a decision unfair. Elena Nikitina's coach Denis Alimov believes that his ward was not allowed to enter the 2018 Olympics. to get rid of one of the main contenders for medals in favor of Western athletes.