KRASNOYARSK – For Benjamin Szollos, the Krasnoyarsk Universiade is not just a competition, it’s also a rare opportunity for his country to be showcased on the international winter sport stage.
Israel’s flagbearer at Saturday’s opening ceremony, Szollos is the only participant from his country at the biennial event. The alpine skier is representing a nation that doesn’t even have a ski hill.
On Sunday, he was one of 63 competitors in the men’s Super G at Funpark Bobrovy. Even though he finished 37th in the field, he was happy with his performance.
“No matter what the result is, I am happy to be here and I am pretty satisfied with the race,” he said.
The 22-year-old was inspired to get into skiing by his dad, who used to go to Austria to learn the sport and ended up competing at the national level a few times.
The younger Szollos, who currently lives in Austria, is proud to represent his home country in Siberia.
“Ski is not a famous sport in Israel. I am happy that I am able to make people in Israel aware of skiing through my performances.”
Even though he lives, studies and trains in Austria, Szollos loves to promote skiing and other winter sports in Israel.
“There are not many people who skis or even knows about skiing in Israel, so my two siblings (who also ski) and I are trying to promote this sport back home.”
In a country where people love football and basketball year-round, the Szollos brothers are trying to introduce winter sports through ski. Benjamin is thankful to Austria for giving him an opportunity to take his skills and passion to the next level.
Article by Sonita Aryal, International Young Reporter at the Krasnoyarsk 2019 Winter Universiade
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