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INSPIRATION“I was very young, maybe four years old, when I stood on skis for the first time. My mother [Gabriela Svobodová] was a silver medallist in cross-country skiing at the Olympic Winter Games Sarajevo 1984, so at first I started doing that as well. At around the age of 14 I tried biathlon for the first time and haven’t stopped since. With biathlon, I like the fact – unlike cross-country skiing – I get the chance to lie down or at least stop skiing for a short while after each lap!”“You need the ‘complete package’ to succeed in biathlon: dedication, discipline and the will to work hard, but also you need to be able to have fun. My training covers everything – endurance training, power training, shooting, technique and recovery – and the most challenging aspect is the every-day discipline that you have to keep if you want to become a top athlete. We have to be strict, and sometimes I wish it was different, but it’s worth it. I love the friendships I have with foreign athletes, and also being able to bring joy to my fans’ lives.”SACRIFICE“I studied design at art school and whenever I have a chance I try to do some of my own art. I draw, sing, play the piano and read about art history.” DOWN TIMEGABRIELA KOUKALOVÁAGE: 27 NOC: CZECH REPUBLIC SPORT: BIATHLON KEY ACHIEVEMENTS: 2x OLYMPIC SILVER MEDALLIST; 2x WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP GOLD MEDALLIST; OVERALL WORLD CUP CHAMPION 2015/16DESTINATION PYEONGCHANG44 OLYMPIC REVIEW