Bjoerndalen is married to Domracheva. Martin Fourcade betrayed Domracheva's secret. Daria - fashion designer
If you add up all the awards of the highest standard won by them during their career, it may well turn out to be the gold reserve of a small African country. The famous spouses Daria Domracheva and Ole Einar Bjoerndalen finally left biathlon this year and plan to start life from scratch, on which no one has asked for an autograph yet.
- Is it difficult to build relationships in a family where both spouses have championship ambitions?
We try not to mix sports with the personal: in any family, the most important thing in a relationship is mutual respect and understanding, and let the comparison of personal ratings, regalia, victories remain on the tracks. We are not trying to compete with each other, but both understand how everyone needs self-realization, so we support each other in any undertakings and move in the same direction.
Since we are in the same situation, both completed their sports careers, we can say that we have one goal for two. I find it very exciting to try to achieve something together.
Is it possible to say that one of the reasons for leaving is that you are tired of the increased attention to your couple, which prevented you from focusing on sports?
D.D.:- No, this moment does not bother us at all. Popularity comes to an athlete gradually, depending on the results. Accordingly, you gradually get used to it. So there was no shock: “Wow! Everyone pays attention to us!” - and even more so it did not serve as an impetus for the end of a career. Everything is more prosaic: the moment has just come when, in certain circumstances, it was necessary to make a decision.
Daria, it’s easier for your spouse: despite the fact that he is a biathlon legend, there are many great athletes in the Norwegian team, and his parting with the sport was relatively painless for Norwegian fans. Belarusian sport has recently been associated mainly with the names of biathlete Domracheva and tennis player Azarenka. Did you understand that by leaving the sport you would disappoint absolutely all sports fans from Belarus?
D.D.:-Of course, I looked at the situation from different angles. And I perfectly understand the regret in the hearts of people, but no matter when it happens - in a year or two or five, there would be no less sadness. At the same time, I heard a lot of kind words of support and approval of my decision from a large number of my fans. In this situation today, I think, it is necessary to look for pluses. Now the whole reality - as it is, my dominance does not hide the real state of affairs in biathlon, although 4 years ago, and before, everything was no less obvious. Why did it happen that out of our entire women's junior team that won the World Championship in Belarus in 2015, only Dinara Alimbekova made it to the Olympic Games in Korea? Why did one athlete leave for Ukraine, and the second one had to miss the whole season due to overtraining? There are many questions.
I do not rule out that a fairly large part of Belarusians follow biathlon and my victories gave a good emotional charge. Naturally, for me it was also a difficult moment when making a decision, but I have a small child who needs a mother here and now, no one will compensate for the lost time - this is the main thing. Yes, I left, I left, giving the sport, not so little, but I ask all the fans to continue to follow biathlon, for the same Ira Krivko, for other girls and guys who show promise and really need support in a difficult period.
- Can you say that you have fully realized yourself in sports?
D.D.:- I enjoyed every day spent on the track, in training. This is probably the most important thing. There is no award in biathlon that I would not win, but even on the way to the titles, I clearly understood that even the full package of awards was not my final goal in sports. I left in the status of the most titled biathlete in the world, but this is not the goal, this is not what forced me to go to the distance. Emotions are the main thing. Moreover, the more difficult the path, the more pleasant it is to realize achievements: even if you win in all races without exception, your career would not be more beautiful from this. On the contrary, the difficulties added emotions and adrenaline before the next starts. I am glad that I was able to walk this path.
Three months after giving birth, you already took part in competitions, and soon won the silver of the world championship. How is this possible: in fact, from the hospital back to the big sport?
D.D.:- Of course, it was not easy, but in any case, if you set a goal for yourself and clearly understand why you need it, if you correctly set yourself up and motivate yourself, then any seemingly impossible task will be able to submit to you. For me at that moment, the most important thing was to tune in and correctly understand everything that was happening. At first I saw myself in training in my head, and then I went and did everything.
Probably your most famous fan is the president. Did he find out about your decision before the rest, or only because of the final press conference? How did he react?
D.D.:- Of course, I tried to contact the president early, talked to his press secretary and informed her of my decision, asked her to pass on this information. We did not have a personal conversation with the president, but he, of course, found out earlier than the whole country. It was difficult to break the news. I hope that he accepted and approved my decision.
How was life built in a champion family? How did you manage between the World Cups and during them? Who put the daughter to bed, who washed the dishes, who packed things for the road - to the next stage?
D.D.:- The bulk of the responsibilities for caring for my daughter fell on me, as in most families in the first year of a baby's life. But we must pay tribute to Ole, he helped a lot - with changing clothes, diapers, he went up to the bed at night. During the competition, of course, priority was given to the athlete who had the next race. If I performed in the morning, Ole tried to take on most of the responsibility, and vice versa.
But in general, infants have closer contact with their mother at first, so it was easier for me to calm the child. And it is worth noting that if the responsibilities that relate to my daughter largely fell on me, then all organizational issues were decided by my husband: moving, booking hotels, moving and accommodating a nanny who traveled with us, route planning. We had a big van traveling with us, and we had to coordinate everything, organize drivers, etc. This is a complex process that Ole was directly involved in.
- Is it easy for you to find a common language with each other's relatives?
D.D.:- It seems to me that Belarusian and Norwegian cultures are quite similar. Unfortunately, my husband's parents are no longer alive, I was not able to communicate with them, but I know all his brothers and sisters. Ole has a big family. Of course, there is some difference in mentalities, but, by and large, with regard to the approach to education and other things, there are many similarities between countries. For example, before oil was found in Norway, it was, as Ole says, a potato power. As for the differences, the standard of living in Norway is, of course, somewhat higher, but the most striking thing that catches your eye is that Norway is an incredibly athletic country. I am sure that many sports fans in Norway can seriously compete with professional athletes. It’s just that everyone, or the vast majority, is engaged there, it’s nice to see that people take care of themselves and their health. Probably, every family goes skiing at the weekend, seeing it is just like a balm for the soul. The climatic conditions and the preparation of the tracks there, of course, allow you to enjoy all the delights of the winter months to the fullest. Although the winter season in Belarus is not so long, I would like people to use these couple of months more productively.
- And where is the potato tastier, in our country or in Norway?
U-E. B.:- Didn't feel much difference. Although here and in Norway, for some reason, it tastes better than in many European countries where I have been. An important role is also played by what to cook from it. For example, in Norway and Belarus, the traditional ways of cooking potatoes are different. You have pancakes, and my mother, for example, cooked something like pancakes on potato dough with cinnamon. If we continue the topic of gastronomy, I was pleasantly surprised that there is good food at very reasonable prices.
- Which society, in your opinion, is more open - Norwegian or Belarusian? What are the differences?
U-E. B.:- I do not know either Russian or Belarusian, so it is difficult for me to answer this question. I can only rely on my observations. I think people in Norway are much more impulsive.
Belarusians do not show their emotions much, you can often hear the answer “fine” even about some grandiose event. So far, this is the biggest difference for me.
- What surprised you the most in Belarus?
U-E. B.:- Maradona in Belarus is definitely the biggest surprise (laughs). I was also surprised by how clean it is. If you read articles about the Belarusian capital in the Norwegian press 3-4 years ago, it will not be the same Minsk that you can read about today. Today it is more attractive for tourists. Advertising the country abroad, in my opinion, is still not enough. And I think local travel agencies should do more work on PR of Belarus in other countries.
D.D.:- For Ole, Belarus is a completely new country, and he wanted to see more than the city of Minsk and the Raubichi sports center. And since before that I devoted all my time to my career, I also visited few places in Belarus. Therefore, it is very interesting for both of us to travel to new places, to get to know culture and nature better. For now, of course, we choose routes that will be acceptable for traveling with a small child. There were a lot of tips and suggestions, thanks for that. We will definitely experience one of the proposed activities for ourselves - this is a trip through the swamps of the Vitebsk region on a swamp. Ole was impressed with the idea. Well, after Belarus we will visit places unknown to us in Norway.
- Ole Einar, do you know that your wife is the first woman awarded the Hero of Belarus award?
U-E. B.:- No, that the first female hero did not know.
- And in Norway, athletes are awarded the highest government awards?
U-E. B.:- No, we do not have such practice. The government has little involvement in the lives of athletes.
D.D.:- In Norway, things are different with this kind of awards, but Ole, of course, is very respected in his country. For example, the Norwegian Royal Orchestra was present at the party dedicated to the end of his career. It was a big surprise for both Ole and the guests, because the Royal Orchestra usually does not perform for private parties, it only plays at royal events, official holidays or international competitions.
- And how did the orchestra get to your party?
U-E. B.:- He was invited by my best friend Oyvind, and each of the 96 members of the orchestra had to be negotiated separately. They rehearsed in their free time and gave everyone a great holiday.
- Can you compare your generation with the younger one? Does he have ambition?
D.D.:- Difficult question, I didn't have so many contacts with young guys. But recently we were at an event at the Olympic Committee - at the presentation of stamps with photographs of Olympians. Children were invited there, and looking at how these boys and girls were inspired by even such a not super-grand event, they showed genuine interest, it seems that they will succeed.
As for comparisons, there will always be. Our generation is compared with the generation of our parents, we will look at the difference between us and the generation of our daughter Ksyusha. I think education plays an important role in these matters. If children are taught to achieve high goals, they will do so, unless the goals may change over time.
How would you explain to today's youth, growing up in the era of globalization and social networks, what is patriotism and why you need to love your homeland?
D.D:- Here, the issue of education also comes to the fore: nevertheless, first of all, everything starts not in social networks, but in the family. From the very childhood, I understood very well that I would compete in international competitions specifically for my country, even though I lived in Russia for 13 years, which, by the way, also gave me a lot, helped me grow into a serious athlete. I want to believe that I made some contribution to the development of Belarus, helped it become a little more recognizable, that my achievements in sports gave people emotions, forced them to set some goals for themselves, and, in the end, it would be cool, if they also brought a delayed benefit, becoming a motivation today for the achievements of others in the future. In general, is it possible to impose love? You can't learn to love a country either, it has to come from within. You absorb this from childhood, in the forest, where you go with your parents for mushrooms, in the arms of your grandmother, in family traditions.
Ole Einar, do you know that with the release of Decree No. 8 “On the Digital Economy”, Belarus began to be called an IT country? Do you know anything about Belarusian high technologies?
U-E. B.:- I use Viber every day - it's very convenient. It is good that high technologies are supported in Belarus, this is important not only for developers, but also for the future of the country.
- And in Norway, besides biathlon and skiing, what other achievements, business cards are there?
U-E. B.:- We have good literature, architecture. And technologies related to the extraction of energy from renewable natural sources are still developing rapidly. We have many rivers, water energy is used. Automotive production is not very well developed yet, but now they have paid attention to the production of electric cars. I think it's very important to support.
- Daria, are the positions of feminists close to you?
D.D.:- No.
I can't imagine running bare-chested to protest or fight for women's rights. Of course, I am for equality, but the positions of feminists seem to me somewhat extreme.
I don't feel hurt. Equality - of course, but still there must be some difference between men and women. Of course, the ability of a woman to bring new inhabitants of the earth into the world is probably the main gift that she receives from nature. But I know for sure that in other areas, it would seem, not for women, a woman is sometimes even capable of more than men. And vice versa, some men are ahead of women in the professions intended for them (women). And everything here depends not on gender, but on individuality, on a single person, on what goals he sets for himself, on attitude and education, on the inner core. And the line that exists between the sexes cannot be erased, I am for femininity, for strong femininity.
The Secretary General of the Association "Belarusian Football Federation" Yury Vergeichik got into a sexist scandal: despite the fact that his organization develops women's football, he publicly stated that "the purpose of women is to give birth, and not to work and mock the body," which caused the wrath of feminists who organized flash mobs in social networks. Have you ever been told this to your face?
D.D.:- No, but I am very categorical about such statements. Moreover, if a high-ranking official talks about this, it goes to the minus not only for him, but also for his organization. Why can't girls go kick a ball or run around with a rifle, become Olympic champions and thereby glorify the country? Bringing new life into the world is the highest gift, that's right, but why make a radical choice when everything fits together perfectly?
Daria, are you satisfied with your first steps in business? How much time do you devote to the development of a sportswear store from Daria Domracheva?
D.D.:- At the moment it's more of a hobby, something that brings pleasure, but with business elements. Now I am faced with the question of a certain transformation of this process, there are ideas about this. Today it turns out to devote little time to this project, but I really want what we are doing to inspire people to move. In general, life is multifaceted, it is important to develop.
- If Ksenia wants to follow the example of her parents into big sport, will you dissuade her?
D.D.:- Of course not. I am of the opinion that every child, to one degree or another, should go in for sports. At least for general physical development. We will help Ksenia choose the sport that will be close to her. Whether she chooses a sports path for herself in the future, it will be only her decision. Perhaps she will be a good designer, architect, or doctor - who knows?
- Have you considered the possibility of staying in Belarus?
U-E. B.:- Now we will live here for several months a year, we plan to travel a lot. I think we will decide and settle in some place by the time Xenia has to go to school.
D.D:- Much will depend on what we will be doing, with what type of activity we will be associated. Ole has many projects in Norway, I have a lot to do with Belarus. Now for several years we will combine life in Norway, Belarus and somewhere else. In the future, we will have to decide more specifically, but for now there is time to think.
Many were sure that the daughter of Daria Domracheva and Ole Einar Bjoerndalen would be born abroad. They wondered: in the father's homeland in Norway or in Austria, where did the star couple settle?
But the champions, appreciating the high level of medical care, chose Belarus. Dasha could give birth in any maternity hospital in Minsk: in the 5th, in the 2nd, in the Republican Scientific and Practical Center "Mother and Child", but in the end she decided to give birth in the 6th, choosing not the walls, but the doctor. Although the walls in the 6th are the envy of many, on September 1, a VIP department for women in labor was opened in the clinic: 4 studio wards, each 36 square meters, with a kitchen and a bathroom. Inside - a double bed, bedside tables, on the contrary - a leather folding sofa - everything from the manufacturer "Bobruiskmebel". The atmosphere is like not in a hospital: everything is light and airy. On the windows - blinds with the image of a palm and the globe on it.
During the birth of her first child, Darya Domracheva trusted Natalya Odintsova, one of the best obstetrician-gynecologists in Belarus, deputy chief physician for obstetric and gynecological care of the 6th maternity hospital. Today (October 3, 2016 - Ed.), the baby and mother feel good and through Komsomolskaya Pravda they convey words of gratitude for their support in this most difficult marathon distance to their numerous fans.
- Daria is a fighter on the ski track, probably a fighter in the delivery room?- "Komsomolskaya Pravda" asked the doctor.
Yes, Dasha is very smart, very courageous, a real fighter, everywhere. The birth took place without anesthesia, for her, as an athlete, there are certain restrictions.
Some, in order to relieve pain, give birth with epidural anesthesia (partial anesthesia, the woman in labor does not feel the lower abdomen. - Ed.), But Dasha?
Without, it is undesirable for her. She endured the whole process of childbirth stoically. And the baby - 3650 - is big enough for her, Dasha is very thin.
- The first birth usually lasts longer than the next, how did Dasha endure the birth?
Daria gave birth absolutely physiologically: not for a long time, but not quickly, on average.
Was Bjoerndalen around all the time?
Yes, he supported her in everything from beginning to end. Both the first and second days - all the time together - as Komsomolskaya Pravda later found out, only on the third day, on Monday, the famous Norwegian went to the first training session after the birth of his daughter.
- Some were worried: how will he communicate in childbirth, is there still a language barrier?
No barrier - I also spoke English with him. Dasha translated if there were any moments. Yes, everything was clear here.
- On a 10-point scale, you, as a specialist and super professional, what rating would you give to dad, mom and child?
The child is very good, it can't be better!
What about Bjoerndalen? There are men who lose consciousness when they are present at childbirth.
No, he did not lose consciousness, he survived everything very courageously, while showing compassion. He was very supportive and gentle. On a 10-point scale - all tens. These are our golden champions - in everything. It can be seen that they have a very touching relationship, incredible tenderness and compassion, it is clear that this is love, and not just a husband who came as a security guard, as it happens.
- Grandmother has already admitted that the girl is very beautiful, but who does she look more like?
The first feeling - on Dasha, but Ulina's eyes. And today, it seems, she looks more like Ole. But a girl from the Domrachev family. This international child took the best from the Domrachev and Bjoerndalen family.
- Now the fans are trying to convey to Dasha various goodies, what can she do?
They eat what a woman in labor is supposed to eat. On Saturday, we ate rice porridge with chicken with pleasure. Usual hospital food, they have everything you need.
- Is the baby with mom and dad all the time or is she taken away for the night?
All the time with them.
Often the main problem for a woman in labor is her breasts: when milk arrives, she turns to stone, you don’t know what to do with her, while the baby gets used to it ...
Dasha can do everything, the baby sucks perfectly. They do not let the baby out of their hands: either mom or Ole. Very cute touching relationship. Ole, as he took the baby for the first time in the delivery room, did not let go again.
- And what did the famous dad say in the first minutes?
He was incredibly happy, what can I say? We were busy with the process.
- Surely "Wow!"?
Probably, "wow" (smiles). But he did not shout and did not make noise - this is a very responsible business and a very responsible family. Taking into account the fact that this is the first child, you understand how this is all conscious, desirable, how he went to this. He himself is from a large family (five children) - for him and his family it was very important, in Norway - a holiday, as in Belarus.
How the three-time Olympic champion turned Bjoerndalen's head
At the World Cup stage in Anterselva, Russian biathletes finally showed their true strength. Ekaterina YURLOVA, Olga PODCHUFAROVA, Anton SHIPULIN and the men's relay four brought Russia four gold medals at once! However, biathlon is not only skiing and shooting, victories and defeats. It is also love, meetings and partings. We decided to tell you, dear readers, some love stories from the life of world biathlon stars.
Dasha swimsuit slayed the champion
Perhaps, the relationship between the famous Norwegian Ole Einar Bjoerndalen and the three-time Olympic champion Daria Domracheva is discussed most of all in the biathlon get-together. On the closing day of the Olympics in Sochi, they did not leave each other for a very long time, and after the ceremony, the great Norwegian appeared at the location of the national team ... of Belarus. He seemed to have come to congratulate the team on an unprecedented success, but it was clear that Bjoerndalen appeared there for the sake of Dasha, who, in fact, won all three gold medals for the country.
Later, the paparazzi photographed an international couple in a shopping center in the Finnish town of Kontiolahti. It was about nine o'clock in the evening, Ole Einar and Dasha were holding hands, and turning around the corner, the eight-time Olympic champion began to whisper something in Domracheva's ear and took her by the waist. And even earlier, at the World Cup stage in Germany, the Norwegian late at night left the cottage where the Belarusian charmer stayed.
At first, both denied this connection. Still, because Bjoerndalen for the time being was considered an exemplary family man. In 2006, he married an Italian Natalie Santer and once said in an interview:
- In many years, when I grow old, I would like to live on the ocean and hear the sound of the surf in the morning. And next to me, my Natalie will be busy in the kitchen. Of course we will be with her.
However, life is unpredictable. Six years later, Bjoerndalen confessed to his wife that he no longer had the same feelings for her. As a result, the couple divorced. And the Italian edition of Wintersport News reported that Domracheva became the reason for their divorce. It turns out that back in the summer of 2012, the women's biathlon team of Belarus came to the Austrian Obertilliach, where Bjoerndalen was preparing for the season. Led by Domracheva. When Daria appeared one day on the porch of the cottage in a revealing bathing suit, Ole was just passing by. The experienced Viking could not stand it - and went on boarding.
Domracheva misses this season. According to Dasha, doctors discovered she had mononucleosis (this disease leads to an increase in the lymph nodes, liver and spleen, and can cause tonsillitis and fever). However, rumors immediately spread that this was not the only thing - they say, Domracheva is pregnant! From Bjoerndalen! The Frenchman Martin Fourcade also added fuel to the fire. The famous biathlete, when asked about Domracheva, replied:
- I hope Dasha will return to biathlon soon. I have a good relationship with her. True, not as close as those of Bjoerndalen.
The Norwegian is 42 years old, Domracheva is 29. Both have no children. To be honest, it's time to think about it.
By the way, information about Domracheva's pregnancy, first in a private conversation with colleagues, and then on Twitter, was reported by journalist Dmitry Egorov. He is currently working on one of the sports Internet portals. Dima claimed that his source was quite reliable and had not been mistaken before. For example, in 2015, Dmitry learned about Olga Zaitseva's pregnancy from him, although Zaitseva hid everything. But someone told Domracheva that they wrote about her, and Egorov had to apologize. "Russian voice of biathlon" Dmitry Guberniev, in an interview with our correspondent, also denied the rumor about Daria's pregnancy.
According to Belarusian colleagues, several years ago Domracheva met with director Maxim Subbotin. It was he who filmed a documentary about the best biathlete in the country. During filming, mutual sympathy arose between them. Domracheva carefully looked at the footage and asked to remove some of the footage related to her family. The director began to argue, they almost quarreled, but in the end Maxim conceded. Daria liked the documentary. Subbotin accompanied her to several social events and press conferences in Minsk. But when Bjoerndalen himself laid eyes on Domracheva, she could not resist. It won't be long before this love story ends.
Will live in two countries
Ekaterina Yurlova, world champion in the individual race, confirms her class this season as well. At the World Cup stage in Anterselva, she won two medals at once - gold and bronze. But the former coach of the Russian women's team, Wolfgang Pichler, waved his hand at her. He spread rot on her, believed that this biathlete was not capable of anything, and threw her out of the team.
Katya was inspired to sports exploits by an affair with the masseur of the Austrian national team, Josef Percht. They met at a competition a few years ago. Yurlova at first did not want to accept the courtship of a foreigner, because she was sure that she would marry only a Russian. However, Josef was very gallant and persistent. He invited the girl to his place in Ramsau, introduced him to friends and parents. Then he showed Vienna at night, and Katya suddenly realized that she, too, was drawn to Josef.
“We got married in October,” Yurlova said. - The ceremony took place in the city hall of Ramsau am Dachstein. On my side were my mom and dad and a few of our biathletes. Where will we live? So far, for two houses - in St. Petersburg and Ramsau. And then it will be seen. But I will definitely play for Russia.
The bride is not confused
One of the country's most accurate biathletes, Alexei Volkov, experienced his finest hour in Sochi 2014. Together with partners, he became the Olympic champion in the men's relay. And a month after that triumphant race, a resident of Khanty-Mansiysk married a biathlete from Chelyabinsk, Evgenia Seledtsova. Of course, the young people faced the question: where to live?
- I offered Lesha to move to Chelyabinsk, - says Zhenya. - Firstly, housing prices are two times lower than in Khanty-Mansiysk. Secondly, the climate is better in the Urals. Finally, my parents live there. When Lesha and I have children, there will be someone to leave them to. (Laughs.)
Seledtsova admitted that a few years ago she was afraid of losing her boyfriend. When Volkov left for competitions and did not call for a long time, she could not find a place for herself. Once asked:
- Lyosha, with whom do you want to celebrate the New Year?
- Of course, with you, - the shooting skier answered.
- Then arrange with the authorities that at the December training camp you and I would train together. On the men's team. You understood me? Enough already, I'm bored.
And Lesha agreed. Since then they have been together. For five years in a row, Seledtsova has been flying to a training camp in Germany or Austria in the middle of the season to brighten up the gray everyday life of the hard worker Volkov.
Shipulin's beautiful gesture
Our best biathlete Anton Shipulin also showed aerobatics in amorous affairs. The Olympic champion approached the choice of a place where to propose to his bride Luiza Sabitova very thoroughly. Anton and Luisa came to the cinema to watch the film "The Dawns Here Are Quiet...". When the lights went on in the hall, Shipulin, in front of all the honest people, handed the girl a gorgeous bouquet of flowers, and then took out a box with an engagement ring and asked Louise to become his wife. The audience gasped and gave a standing ovation. The happy darling of the champion said “yes” after a short pause.
Sabitova and Shipulin are from Tyumen, where they met about four years ago. Louise studied economics at the Ural Stock Market Institute. The young people played the wedding in June 2015 in Yekaterinburg, where Shipulin now lives. His partners in the Russian national team, actors from the popular show "Ural dumplings" and even the governor of the Sverdlovsk region Evgeny Kuyvashev came to the celebration. And in December, Louise gave birth to Shipulina's son. Now it is clear why Anton was in such a hurry with the marriage - the bride was already in an interesting position in the summer.
Both looked to the side
The most eminent Russian biathlete of recent years, Olga Zaitseva, also hid her pregnancy for a long time. Shortly after the end of her career, the two-time Olympic champion, unexpectedly for many, was appointed head coach of the women's team. Zaitseva rolled up her sleeves and got down to business. And then she suddenly announced that she had changed her mind. Like, there is no such possibility, inexperienced yet. Only her new boyfriend Pyotr Trifonov (he prepares equipment before the start for the skiers of the Russian national team) knew what was going on. Already to him, Olga admitted that she was expecting a baby. In October last year, Zaitseva gave birth to a son, who was named Styopka.
She has not yet registered a marriage with Trifonov. Olga already had a bad marriage experience. For seven years, our Zaika was the wife of the Slovak biathlete Milan Augustin. He's a good-looking guy and dresses stylishly. Olga gave him a son, Sasha. But, as evil tongues say, while Bunny was running along the track and closing targets, Milan, bored without his wife, found another sweetheart in Slovakia. And the serviceman Trifonov just laid eyes on Olya. So the separation of the spouses passed without breaking dishes and dividing pots. Augustine has no obstacles to seeing his son. Apart from the distance, of course.
By the way
Olga Zaitseva told our correspondent that she would not be on maternity leave for long. In April or May of this year, she is going to return to coaching.
Valentine's Day this year fell on the PyeongChang Winter Olympics. It is there that one of the most famous couples in the world of sports, biathletes, will celebrate Valentine's Day Ole Einar Bjoerndalen and Daria Domracheva. In honor of the holiday, we decided to tell how this "sports" love story was born.
How it all began
Some say that Domracheva met her future Norwegian husband at the Vancouver Olympics in 2010, others suggest that they began to communicate closely in 2012 at a summer training camp in Austria. However, we know only one exact date - October 4, 2012, when Bjoerndalen broke up with the Italian biathlete Natalie Santer. Apparently, then the biathlete already felt sympathy for the Belarusian colleague.
Veil of secrecy
In the next few years, biathletes carefully concealed their relationship, the most discussed at that time was Daria's phrase: “The only official information about my personal life will be a message about my marriage.” Soon it almost happened! Of course, many friends and fellow biathletes knew about their relationship, but the strength of friendship was stronger than the desire to tell the public about the personal lives of Domracheva and Bjoerndalen.
The first to pierce was a French biathlete Martin Fourcade, who in 2015 stated: "I am on good terms with Domracheva, but, of course, not as close as Bjoerndalen."
official confirmation
On April 5, 2016, at a press conference by Bjoerndalen, at which, as the journalists expected, the biathlete’s sports career was to be discussed, the main statement was not only confirmation of the relationship with Daria, but also the fact that the Belarusian biathlete was pregnant: “I have an excellent relationship with Daria Domracheva. We are now a couple and expecting a baby. We didn't want to keep it a secret, but we'll focus on our relationship. It's very exciting to be a father."
On July 16 of the same year, the couple got married in Oslo. The ceremony was held modestly, in the circle of family and friends. The only public picture of the celebration is on Daria's Instagram.
Not only biathletes, but also parents
Naturally, at first Daria and Ole Einar devoted all their time to their daughter, but already in 2017 they returned to training. At the 2018 Olympics, Daria adequately represents her homeland, and Bjoerndalen helps athletes in training.
But, despite the career, the child remains the most important link in the life of both biathletes. “I need to learn Norwegian, as this is my daughter's second native language,” Daria admitted in an interview. “Who is the head of our family? Of course Xenia. She often laughs. I think she will make a great comedian,” says Bjoerndalen.
Olympic champions build a house near Minsk, go to football games and ride in BELAZ.
Have a farewell party
More precisely, in fact, only Bjoerndalen had a farewell party. Daria announced her retirement later. The event took place in Oslo. Ole invited current and retired athletes to the party. Those with whom the Norwegian competed throughout his career. However, many biathletes could not attend an important evening for Bjoerndalen. The Russian side at the event was represented by the “voice of biathlon” Dmitry Guberniev and Match TV correspondent Ilya Trifanov.
In addition to a delicious dinner, guests could enjoy live music, watch the performance of the Norwegian Royal Orchestra and the guard of honor company, and study Bjoerndalen's awards, of which he had accumulated a lot. The main entertainment at the party was the dance of Ole and Daria. We have never seen biathletes in such a role.
Building a house near Minsk
It was planned that the house of biathletes in the village of Laporovichi, which is located 20 kilometers from Minsk, would be commissioned in 2016. However, the construction was delayed. Now only finishing work remains. Athletes will be able to move in this fall.
The house, which the locals called the "ship", looks unusual in the Belarusian landscape. It is all the more surprising that Domracheva was involved in the design of the building. The mansion will have a gym, swimming pool and cinema. They say that the owners are closely monitoring the progress of construction and often come to Laporovichi.
Visited the final of the World Cup
There were many recognizable faces in the stands of Luzhniki. Daria and Ole also came to Moscow for the final match. Domracheva had the flag of Belarus painted on her cheek, Bjoerndalen had Norway. Although their national teams failed to qualify for the tournament. At the stadium, the couple took a selfie with actors Danila Kozlovsky (AKA Yuri Stoleshnikov) and Oleg Menshikov.
“It was nice to watch beautiful football. The World Cup is well organized. We are happy that we managed to get to the final. Thanks, Moscow! - Bjoerndalen said after the game to the correspondent of "Match TV" Egor Kuznets.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BlSewo4leRo/?hl=en&taken-by=dadofunDomracheva became the ambassador of the European Games, and Bjoerndalen became an honorary member of the FBN
When Ole Einar announced his retirement, many were sure that the Norwegian would not live long without biathlon. Anders Besseberg called Bjoerndalen his successor as head of the IBU, and in May, NRK reported that the eight-time Olympic champion would soon become the head coach of the Russian national team. According to a Norwegian media source, he was supposed to replace Rico Gross. But it seems that while Bjoerndalen is more passionate about his family than looking for a new job. The only biathlon post that Ole currently holds is an honorary member of the Norwegian Biathlon Federation. This appointment took place at the organization's gala in June.
Domracheva was offered the post of ambassador of the European Games, which will be held in Minsk next summer. Her task is to inform people about the competition, maintain and strengthen the brand of the tournament through her achievements and success. The biathlete became the first person to be entrusted with the position of star ambassador of the Games.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BlnqX1UFA8i/?hl=en&taken-by=dadofunDaria also has her own clothing brand.
The idea of the project came to Domracheva in the summer of 2016, when she was pregnant and could not do biathlon. But I missed my favorite sport. He became the inspiration for the first collection. The love of creativity, according to Daria, was instilled in her by her architect parents.
Some clothes from the Domracheva line have references to biathlon (five eyes on the target) and an image of an athlete. The spouse also helps to promote the brand.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BYU8nH4BIZL/?hl=en&taken-by=shop.daryadomracheva.byEnjoy life in Belarus
The couple celebrated the start of their joint retirement with one day at sea. And then - to Belarus. The rest of biathletes can be traced by the hashtag #NorwegianInBelarus, which Daria came up with for her Instagram followers.
Acquaintance with Belarus began with a bath.
The couple also attended the World Helicopter Championship. Daria, Ole, as well as the younger brother and nephew of Bjoerndalen flew over the outskirts of Minsk.
Last weekend, biathletes rode the world's largest car - BELAZ. After the trip, they were awarded a certificate of successful completion of the initial mining truck driving course.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Blv7FzllpQf/?hl=en&taken-by=dadofunAfter Belarus, the couple will go to Norway. This trip also has its own hashtag - #Belarusian in Norway.
Photo: globallookpress.com, RIA Novosti/Viktor Tolochko
