Ekaterina DAFOVSKA

Ekaterina Dafovska became Bulgaria's first - and, through 2006, only - Winter Olympic champion at the 1998 Nagano Games. Despite having previously medalled in the 1995 and 1997 World Championships, taking a bronze in the 15 km on both occasions, her Olympic title in the same event still came as somewhat of a surprise. In addition to her Olympic title, Dafovska won the 2004 European title in the 15 km, and was victorious in five World Cup events. With three wins, her best season came in 2002/2003, when she also placed fourth in the overall World Cup. Dafovska was also elected Bulgarian Athlete of the year in 1998. After her retirement in 2007, Dafovska opened a hotel-resort in the Bulgarian Rhodope mountains.