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KRASNAYA POLYANA, Russia (AP) - Vic Wild might compete under the Russian flag, but the roots for the White Salmon, Wash., native run deep.
After the snowboarder completed a career revival with a gold medal for his new home country in men's parallel giant slalom on Wednesday _ just minutes after wife Alena Zavarzine won bronze in the women's event _ Wild wanted to celebrate in the most American way possible.
"It would be nice to have a beer," Wild said. "They won't let us have beer."
At least, not yet. With the parallel slalom coming up later in the week, it will be back to training for Wild and his wife on Thursday.
When jokingly asked if vodka would suffice until a beer could be had, the 27-year-old provided a very un-Russian answer.
"I don't like vodka," he said. "I just want a beer."
Some Russian customs take a while to get used to, apparently.
_ By Will Graves _ Twitter http://twitter.com/WillGravesAP
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Associated Press reporters are filing dispatches about happenings in and around Sochi during the 2014 Winter Games. Follow AP journalists covering the Olympics on Twitter: http://apne.ws/1c3WMiu
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