Yuliya Skokova

Hobbies	Psychology, esotericism, politics, writing. (Athlete, 19 Oct 2017)
Superstitions / Rituals / Beliefs	She takes a teddy bear with her to the most important competitions. (Athlete, 02 Mar 2016)

Reason for choosing this sport

A coach came to her school to recruit children into the sport.

Hero / Idol	Soviet speed skater Lidiya Skoblikova. (NOC, 01 Feb 2014)
Ambitions	To win a gold medal at the Olympic Winter Games. (Athlete, 02 Mar 2016)
Awards and honours	She received the Order for Merit to the Fatherland [second grade] in the Russian Federation, in recognition of her performance at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi. (kremlin.ru, 24 Feb 2014) In 2014 she received the title of Honoured Master of Sport in the Russian Federation. (minsport.gov.ru, 24 Feb 2014)

When and where did you begin this sport?

She took up the sport at age eight in Yekaterinburg, Russian Federation.

www.facebook.com/yulia.skokova.12

Memorable sporting achievement	Claiming bronze in the team pursuit at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, winning a gold medal in the 1000m at the 2007 World University Winter Games in Turin, Italy, and a bronze medal in the team pursuit at the 2015 World Single Distance Championships in Heerenveen, Netherlands. (Athlete, 10 Nov 2017)
Other information	RETIREMENT She has retired from speed skating. (isu.org, 01 Jan 2020) FURTHER EDUCATION She has studied a master's degree in public administration at the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration in Yekaterinburg, Russian Federation. (Athlete, 19 Oct 2017)
Injuries	In 2015 she fell off a bicycle and suffered a right shoulder injury. (Athlete, 10 Nov 2017)
Sporting philosophy / motto	"The one who wins is the one who is mentally resistant against stress." (Athlete, 10 Nov 2017)