Julia Chepalova wins coveted gold in women's 1.5 km sprint

Russia's Julia Chepalova won the women's ski sprint today to become the first Olympic champion in short-distance ski races. Four years ago, in Nagano, she was the youngest female champion ever on the longest cross-country distance of 30 km. In Salt Lake City, she has won gold on the shortest track in 1.5 km sprint.

Chepalova was expected to win gold, but, having earned a bronze medal on the 10-km distance, she said that the others want to win their medals, too. Julia hates talking about planned medals, saying this badly affects her results. Her father and at the same time coach does not like that kind of talk either, even more so as Julia still has relay race and the exhausting 30-km distance ahead of her.

Recently, Chepalova turned down a proposal to model for a Playboy photo session, despite being offered the same $50,000 she will get for her Olympic gold.