Since the Olympic Games, Semirunniy has become a well-known figure in his hometown of Tomaszów, Poland, where he is widely recognized and warmly greeted by locals.
Schaatsen.nl, published in the Netherlands, reports on Semirunniy’s experiences following the Olympics and his performance at the World Allround Speed Skating Championships.
Semirunniy has noticed a significant change in how people in Tomaszów treat him, with many recognizing him in shops and offering friendly greetings and smiles. Although he finds this attention a bit unusual, he appreciates the positive atmosphere it creates. Despite the post-Olympic attention, including numerous interviews and official engagements, Semirunniy has had little time to rest and is still working on his mental recovery.
Looking ahead to the World Allround Championships, Semirunniy expressed confidence in his abilities. He recalled an impressive 10,000-meter track record of 12:28.05 set earlier in the season at Thialf, which sparked debate since it was achieved in the B-group, where four skaters race simultaneously. He used this skepticism as motivation, stating his intention to prove his speed again during the championships. Although the format at the Allround differs from single distances, Semirunniy believes that if his legs feel good, he can perform strongly across all events.
After the first day of competition, Semirunniy is positioned fourth overall, trailing behind Jordan Stolz, Sander Eitrem, and Peder Kongshaug by 3.96 seconds. His individual results include ninth place in the 500 meters with a time of 36.69 seconds and third place in the 5,000 meters clocking 6:08.15.
