I am extremely grateful for the chance I had, Tervel Zamfirov says in Sofia

Young Bulgarian athlete Tervel Zamfirov, who on Sunday won Bulgaria's first Winter Olympic medal for the past 20 years, was welcomed at Sofia Airport by his relatives, fans and the Minister of Youth and Sports, Ivan Peshev.

The 20-year-old snowboarder showed his bronze medal from the parallel giant slalom and told the crowd that with this award he had already fulfilled his childhood dreams. "Our sport allows for great athletic longevity. If things go according to plan and I am healthy, I can participate in five more Olympics," Zamfirov added. "Genetics played a role in the photo finish because my arms are longer. I thought I was fourth and would leave without a medal," the athlete commented jokingly.

Editor: Ivo Ivanov