Ski World-2009: Noureddine Bentoumi represents Algeria

Hoping to represent Algeria at the Olympics in 2010, Noureddine Bentoumi took part this week in Liberec in the 2009 World Championships in a qualifying race to challenge for the athletes of the "small countries" of skiing.

•     With his 129th place in the sprint of the World-2009, Noureddine Bentoumi can hardly be satisfied. Engineer in a computer group, based in Echirolles (Isère), however, he has some mitigating circumstances.
  
      "I decided to come to Liberec at the last moment, because for me, the Olympics, it was a bit of the past," says the sole representative of Algeria who is also his coach, his technician and his sponsor.
  
      In 2006, Noureddine Bentoumi, then helped by France, had participated in the OG: "I was super happy to be in Turin, but there were problems with my federation, the atmosphere was not very nice and then the 50 km was too hard for me."
  
      The founder, who was born, grew up and studied in France, was eliminated after having conceded a quick tour of the Olympic course for the best.
  
      But the virus of the Olympics has taken since the Algerian federation changed its president: "I want to close the loop; I wish my father could come to the opening ceremony. Perhaps my example will make other young Algerians to do what I do.
                              
      But one obstacle stands in front of him, far more discouraging than his lack of means to reduce the number of participants, the Olympic qualification criteria have been revised upwards.
  
      To go to Vancouver, he must have participated in the World Championships and view an average of less than 300 FIS points in five races on the schedule by January 2010.
  
      "In Turin, I had 220 points, but the hardest is to find the races where you can not score points too and they often take place in Norway or Finland," he laments.
  
      "It's a bit limited. It is not the best, but we train as we can, we bump along and it was absolutely our place at the Olympic Games," said Noureddine Bentoumi.
  
      "Small nations" are trying to unite to defend their interests.
  
      "We help each other in material, we are all helpful," he says as to highlight the Olympic spirit that blows from these Olympic Games lovers.
      
      
  Ennaharonline/ M. O.