Belarus's Karniajenka beats Bjordalen, gets silver
The Belarusian has won a silver medal in the 15-km free-syle race, beating many favorites, including Ole Bjordalen.
The standings of the rest of the Belarusian skiers are as follows: Siargej Dalidovic (15); Aliaksandr Lazutkin (53), Aliaksaj Ivanou (77). Norway's Lars Berger won the gold, having beaten the Belarusian by 35 seconds.
Nobody hoped in Karniajenka's success. Before traveling to Japan, Belarus skiing team's coach Vadzim Sashuryn confessed that he was taking Kariajenka "for his own risk".
Leanid Karniajenka was born in the town of Klimavocy in Maholjou region. He studies at the University of Physical Culture in Minsk.
In January 2006 he won a juniors' skiing championship in Minsk. During this year's Minsk Skiing winter festivities, Karniajenka was part of the president's team.
Photo by AP
