Veronika Stepanova told the backstory on her Instagram photo.
Veronika Stepanova had fun wearing a party dress. EPA / AOP
Russian skiing star Veronika Stepanova has commented on the picture that shocked her followers at the end of last year.
The 22-year-old relay gold medalist of the Beijing Games published a picture of herself in a gala outfit on Instagram in December. The photo was tagged with a skiing legend Marit Björgen.
– Our answer to Marit Björgen, Stepanova messaged with a bicep emoji.
Björgen ended his career already years before Stepanova appeared on the starting line. However, it is not unclear from the picture why the Russian included the eight-time Olympic champion in his picture.
Stepanov has now also clarified this matter to Dagladet.
– The picture was taken at the moment when I was preparing for the Russian sports gala. I put on a new one and a dress and puffed out my biceps. My boyfriend saw it and said I looked exactly like Marit Björgen in that famous photo.
Stepanova’s spouse is undoubtedly right. The photo taken of Björgen in 2012 is iconic. It leaves no doubt whether one cross-country skier of all time has enough rye on his wrist.
Stepanovanki’s arm musculature is awe-inspiring, but Björgen’s muscles still have a long way to go.
Stepanova has had time to focus on growing her muscles, as Russian skiers have been closed from international competition for more than a year. Stepanova has strongly criticized Fisi’s decision.