Beijing - Many Danish Olympic contestants lack grit, Danish
International Olympic Committee member Kai Holm said in an interview
published Wednesday.
Danish tennis player Caroline Wozniacki was 'an exception', Kai
Holm was quoted as telling the Politiken newspaper after watching her
play in the Olympic tournament.
'Caroline mostly takes on superior players that are stronger than
she is and the top players are often faster than she is. But she
fights to win,' Holm said.
'When I saw her lose her serve, I saw her grit her teeth to get
back. That is something I miss at these Olympics - there are too few
Danes that grit their teeth,' said Holm who for 25 years headed the
Danish Sports Confederation.
Holm said factors that contributed to the meagre results for
Danish contestants was that 'many Danish athletes are too sheltered
at home' and have problems coping with the scope of an Olympic
competition compared to a world championship or European championship
event.
'Here in Beijing there is such an enormous amount of athletes,
some 177 things that can distract them,' he said.
Holm said he expected Denmark to win two medals at the Beijing
Games while Team Denmark has aimed for seven.
'But I really hope I am proved wrong,' Holm said.
Holm is slated to step down next year. Denmark has launched Crown
Prince Frederik, 40, to succeed Holm.
Frederik met his wife, Australian-born Crown Princess Mary, at a
Sydney pub during the 2000 Olympics. They were married in 2004.
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