AS tension mounts over deadly bombings in Russia leading up to the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Camperdown export Cameron Rahles-Rahbula remains focused on preparing for his fourth Paralympics.
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“To be honest I haven’t given the Russian situation much thought,” the skier told The Standard after enjoying a Christmas break with family in Port Fairy.
“I’m not overly concerned and the competition is a good two months away.
“These tensions have popped up before. My first Games at Salt Lake City were a year after 9/11.
“You focus on what you’re doing and don’t get distracted.”
Rahles-Rahbula, who now lives and works in Geelong, announced his retirement in September, only to be enticed back into the Australian team after an agreement that his training program would not interfere with family commitments.
He took his training bike to Port Fairy as part of his physical preparations and will join the national team in Austria in February before going to Italy and expects to arrive in Sochi about a week before competition starts in March. The leg amputee will compete in the standing class, but is unsure which events — downhill, super G, giant slalom, slalom or combined.
“I’ve been around these competitions for more than 12 years, so I know what to do in training,” he said.
Australia’s chef de mission Ian Chesterman said the “highest levels of the Russian government” had given assurances that security would be tight during the Games.
“We remain confident in the security arrangements that have been put in place for Sochi,” he said.