Have babies to win gold, say Russians

WHISTLER, Canada: Russia's biathlon relay team revealed the secret weapon behind Tuesday's gold medal success at the Winter Olympics and recommended their rivals do the same: have babies.

Olga Zaitseva, who anchored the Russian team and leaves Vancouver with a gold and silver medal from Sunday's mass start, said giving birth to her son, Alexander, in 2007 has helped her as an athlete.

After France took silver while Germany claimed bronze in the relay, the 31-year-old told her rivals to get themselves pregnant if they want to win gold at Sochi in four years time when Russia hosts the Games.