Italy's Ghiotto to take philosophical approach in quest for speed skating medal

Italian speed skater Davide Ghiotto knows he is under pressure to win a medal at the Winter Olympics in Beijing next month but will adopt a philosophical approach to overcome the burden of expectation.

The 28-year-old philosophy student is among the favourites after winning silver and bronze in the 3,000 metres at World Cup events in Calgary and Salt Lake City last month.

"I don't want to make overly ambitious statements and neither look like the one who sets expectations too low because he is peeing himself (from fear) a little. I have a balanced approach," Ghiotto told Italian news outlet OA sport.

"Reaching the podium in Salt Lake City and Calgary raised my self-awareness and I know what I can do. However, I know that not all the best players were in shape at the beginning of this season."

Ghiotto also does not underestimate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on performance as the Olympics will not have any international spectators attending the Games to support athletes.

"It is not by all means easy to swallow (the COVID-19 situation) because you can feel more the distance from our beloved and it is difficult to find the right focus sometimes," he added.

The Winter Olympics begin on Feb. 4 in Beijing.

(Reporting by Silvia Recchimuzzi in Gdansk; Editing by Christian Radnedge)