The biathele Natalia Levcenkova will represent Moldova at the Olympics in Sochi

The biathlete born in Russia, Natalia Levcenkova, had unpleasant surprises at the first visit after the Olympics in Vancouver to Moldova, the country she represents on the international arena. Natalia could not carry her weapon because the local airline company did not allow to take it on teh board. Therefore, her husband, who is also her coach, remained in Moscow with the gun. Levcenkova, however, continued her way to Chișinău, to make new plans for her sports career.

Natalia Levcenkova, biathlete: - We tried today with my husband to fly together, but because of the problems that occurred in the Moscow airport, he will come later. Moldova airline company did not allow to carry the weapon.

Petru Bria, President of Ski and Luge Federation: - We have the right to carry the weapon. But each airline company has its internal rules. We flew around the world with this gun - and we did not have problems anywhere.

The weapon, the airline company did not want to have on its board, traveled 2 months ago to Vancouver. In the North American country, Natalia Levcenkova managed a pretty modest result. The highest place was the 37th in the 5 km individual contest.

Nicolae Andronache, Vice Minister of Youth and Sports - 37th among 88 athletes is a good result.

Natalia Levcenkova, biathlete: - I hoped for a better result. Olympics in Vancouver has been very unpredictable, so for me, and for other better biathletes. I trained hard. We analyzed the situation and decided I made much effort during training. This was the reasom for a modest result.

Levecnkova, who previously announced that the Olympics in Vancouver will be the last in her career, decided to try her luck once again. For the last time the Russian biathlete will represent Moldova in her home country - in 4 years in Sochi.

Natalia Levcenkova, biathlete: - I would like to attend the Olympics in Sochi - it will certainly be the last.

Nicolae Andronache, Vice Minister of Youth and Sports: - We decided to take a break until June, after which we decide whether she will represent the country on the international arena and the Olympics in Sochi.