Wywiad z Rogowiec po szwedzku... ?

Interview with athlete Katarzyna Rogowiec - Nordic Skiing
2011.12.22

Katarzyna Rogowiec from Poland, a "sportaholic" as she once called herself, lost both her arms in an accident when she was 3 years old. In an early stage she learned how to handle different situations in life with her disability and as an active girl she always has been, she started to do sports. Her interest and passion for sports and especially cross-country skiing has resulted in medals at both Paralympics and World Championships.
First name: Katarzyna
Last name: Rogowiec
Nick-name: Kate/K8
Age: 34
Local ski club: "START" Nowy Sacz
Country: Poland
City: Krakow
Qualities: Stubborn, brave.

The season of 2011/2012 has begun. How is everything? Has everything gone the way you wanted according to your original plan?
The first races of this season have been conducted - Sjusjoen in Norway. I won the biathlon race on Saturday and became number 2 on Sunday in biathlon. I'm happy with results and the World Cup isn't over yet!

This is not one of the seasons when the plan is accomplished. Last year in Poland, we had some major law changes regarding elite sport for people with disabilities. The changes cause problems with management. There were some training camps planned and when it came to the terms we were informed that they were canceled. About this camp we were informed a few days before it started. It is very difficult to reach planned goals in sport without good training conditions. As an athlete I have to do a lot of my individual, personal work on my own to achieve my aims.
A big help was a project in my region, Malopolska ("small Poland"), which helped me to conduct my preparations for this season financially; I promoted the great place where I was born and where I live. The added value was Paralympic sport.

What are your expectations and goal for this season?
Since August I work hard, having in my mind Crystal Globe for winning World Cup in cross country.

Any changes that have been made in your preparations? If so, in what way?
Because of the reasons I mentioned in the first answer, I decided to spend more time at the Baltic Sea by roller blading and running. I've heard about good influence of iodine for an organism by being there.

Sollefte? Winter Games was upgraded into Paralympic Winter World Cup in 2009. At the moment the hotel next to the ski venue is under extensive renovation and the biathlon stadium will be improved in different ways.
As a professional athlete with experience from different competitions, what´s your opinion regarding the development of the competition?
I didn't know anything about these works. It is so good to hear that! For an athlete the most important is to have available courses as well as the place of living. If there is no possibility to have accommodation close to the place of venue, it is crucial to have working transportation.

What do you appreciate the most about Sollefte? as the hosting city of PWWC?
It is very nice to have different disciplines at the same event. It was so good experience for me to be able watch ice sledge hockey games and cheer for the Polish team!

Regarding the future: How long do you think you will continue with cross country skiing as a professional athlete?
*Big smile* It is one of the questions I can't answer. Before Vancouver I was thinking about finishing at the Paralympics, but after that, it occurred I wanted to go further. I am thinking about Paralympics in Sochi as the last one, but who knows what I will tell you after Sochi 2014.

Most memorable sport moment in your life so far - both as an athlete and as spectator (for example something you have seen on TV or live)?
The most memorable sport moment in my life, was when I had my first Paralympic medal, the gold one, at the Paralympics in Torino and listening to the Polish anthem,  "Mazurek Dąbrowskiego".

What is your motto in life?
There are a few thoughts that I use for life: Don?t do anything with force; Don't be afraid of changes; Go for tries; Be happy with small things; and many others...

Thank you for taking your time Katarzyna! PWWC wishes you good luck!

Wywiad w oryginale:

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