Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Advice and motivational words to the inspiring and budding speed skaters who all are your fans, they shall like to know from you, what they should do for their climb to ladder of success in this field?
Ms. Arianna Fontana:
You will become the best cyclist you know. You will become the strongest in the gym. You will become the best runner you know. After you do those things you have to learn how to skate. Skating is difficult. If you love it, chase after the most absurd goal you can force yourself to say out loud. You are the only one who can turn your dreams into your reality. I suggest you find someone who has been where you want to go or who has guided someone like you. If you don’t have ice close to you, jump on some inline skates and enjoy the road somewhere. They are great cross trainers because of the increased friction. It is where I began my journey. Good luck!
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
How did you feel before and after winning a silver medal in the 500m event at the 2014 Winter Olympics?
Ms. Arianna Fontana:
Before that race, I was ready, that was The Race. I wanted to win, I knew I could win, I was ready to fight for the gold medal. Unfortunately after half a lap Elise Christie made a bad pass and made me fall with her and another skater. It was her first final, ever, and she was in the blue water with the sharks. She freaked. At the end of it, I was so upset and sad because I didn’t even get a chance to try, I saw that gold medal vanishing in front of me. But then I looked up on and I saw Anthony and my family, they were happy, and that changed my mood, I got excited for my silver medal and I waved the Italian flag and the smile of my face was full of joy.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Who has been your greatest influence and motivator in your success in the field of your career?
Ms. Arianna Fontana:
Major influence, hmmm… I can’t say that I ever had someone to show me the way because I was attempting many of the things for Italian Short Track team for the first time in history. I will say that I learned a lot from Evgenija Radanova, the Bulgarian Short Track Olympic Champion and Olympic track cyclist. I still reach out to her when I need advice and count her as a major influence of my life and career. That being said, when I was young and made the National Team for the first time, I had some great women helping me learn the ropes and help me how to win in a male dominated sporting world. Mara Zini e Marta Capurso are amazing women and I will always count them as mentors and great friends.
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