The 2022 Olympics in Beijing are only a couple of weeks off, and Russia’s head coach Markus Kramer has big ambitions for precious metals in China. 

“We are headed to China for medals, and gold is what counts. We should have good chances of that,”. Kramer says to ProXCskiing.com.

Norway is the only real competitor
When speaking with ProXCskiing.com, Kramer is politely reserved, and says he doesn’t expect to just walk in and collect medals in the Olympics. 

“We have a good team. But there are others who are good, and everyone is showing up well prepared. So, of course, in order to win, you have to have the day, and everything has to work with equipment and wax,” Kramer says. 

This is Russia’s team to the 2022 Olympics

But realistically, he does not see that Russia has many real competitors on the men’s side, other than Norway. 

“Our strongest competitors will be Johannes Høsflot Klæbo, Hans Christer Holund, Simen Hegstad Krüger and the rest of the Norwegians. From the other nations, there are not many that I fear. But you can never write off Iivo Niskanen, especially in the classic events,” says Kramer.

At the same time, Kramer emphasizes that not even Klæbo keeps him up at night. 

“Klæbo and the rest of Norway’s team will of course be tough opponents. But we have already beaten Klæbo. Alexander Terentev even did it in the sprint this year,” Kramer says.

This is Norway’s team to the Olympics in Beijing 

2022 Olympics Schedule, day by day

Aims for Olympic medals in all events
Kramer has big ambitions on behalf of his skiers at the Olympics in Beijing. He believes the team should be able to take medals, and preferably gold, in all events.

“We have a very strong men’s team for the Olympics this year. We have eight guys who all are capable of winning medals,” says Kramer, and counts off: 

“Alexander Bolshunov, Sergey Ustiugov, Alexey Chervotkin, Denis Spitsov, Ivan Yakimushkin, Artem Maltsev, Alexander Terentev … They are all gold medal material. And, as I said, Terentev has beaten Klæbo this year,” says Kramer proudly.

Another version of Bolshunov at the Olympics
The Russian head coach has high expectations for Alexander Bolshunov, despite the fact that last year’s overall winner of the World Cup has struggled more this season than last.

The 25-year-old Russian went through two dental surgeries this fall related to an inflamed tooth, in addition to fighting injuries and illness seemingly non-stop since last spring. Bolshunov himself summed up his dryland season as follows: 

“First, I crashed on the bike. Then I had problems with my Achilles tendon. The next month, I walked into a door and was injured after that for a whole month. Then I had problems with a tooth. So, I have not trained much this year, and I do not know what to expect from myself,” Bolshunov said prior to the World Cup opener in Ruka, Finland, in November.

At the Tour de Ski, Bolshunov posted a solid second place overall, and Kramer now reckons that his pre-season health problems are a closed chapter. 

“Bolshunov has had a lot of trouble and a lot of health problems leading up to this season. There have been injuries and illness, and then the issues this with the teeth at the end of the fall. So, he was not quite at his best in the first part of the season. But he has trained well in recent weeks, so I think we will see another version of him in the Olympics,” Kramer says.

Deeper than Bolshunov
Bolshunov is an important racer for Russia, but there are several others that Kramer also expects a lot from. Sergey Ustiugov, who is part of Kramer’s training group, is of course on that list. 

“I am glad that Ustiugov is back at a high level. He was strong in several races at the start of the season, both at the World Cup opener in Ruka, Finland, and in both of the World Cup races in Davos, Switzerland. He chose to sit out the Tour de Ski, but he is healthy and has trained well, so I am sure he has very good chances in the Olympics,” says Kramer. 

Additionally, Kramer also points out Artem Maltsev as a promising medal candidate. He was the surprise during the 2021 World Championships in Oberstdorf, Germany. 

“Last season, Maltsev was very good, also in the World Championships. And not just in the relay. He finished fifth in the 15-kilometer race. He’s also an exciting racer, because he’s a real all-rounder. He can be used in every kind of event, from the sprints to the 50-kilometers, and of course in the relays,” says Kramer eagerly.

Need to compete
In recent weeks, Russia’s national team has started their peaking plan for the Olympics at high altitude in northern Italy. 

But while other national teams have almost isolated themselves, Kramer’s athletes have chosen to compete. When both the FIS World Cups in January were canceled, Kramer chose to send his runners to touring races and Visma Ski Classics.