Olga Zolotova to climb Europe's tallest mountain to thank UAE's hard-working labourforce

Matt Jones - Editor 22:49 06/08/2017
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  • Not many of us fully appreciate the incredible life of luxury and privilege we live out here in the UAE – one person who certainly does is Olga Zolotova.

    The Russian commodities trader has lived in the Emirates for four years and while most fellow expatriates spend their free time splurging their tax-free and inflated salaries at expensive restaurants and on fancy cars, Zolotova uses hers to aid good causes.

    She climbed Kilimanjaro last year to promote the UAE as an accepting and inclusive country after the Emirates introduced the Anti-Discrimination Law, while she also cycled across the Liwa desert earlier this year to collect toys for orphans in the UAE and raise awareness about the issues they face.

    She will be off on another adventure later this month when she heads to her homeland to climb Mount Elbrus, which at 5,642 metres high, is the tallest peak in Europe.

    She and fellow adrenaline junky Mohamad Khalaf will begin their climb next Tuesday, spending 10 days ascending to the daunting summit.

    Their latest campaign fits in with the Eid Al Adha holiday which begins on August 31 and the beneficiaries this time will be the hard-working labourers of the UAE who work in very contrasting conditions to the rest of us.

    Olga and Mohamad will head to Russia next week

    Olga and Mohamad will head to Russia next week

    We live in exceptional comfort and even in the plus 45 degree outside we hardly notice in our air conditioned houses, offices and cars,” said Zolotova, 26, who also ran seven ultra-marathons in as many days across the country’s seven emirates last May to raise money for Syrian children.

    “But because we experience it every day we slowly stop noticing those comforts around and they become something that goes without saying.

    “How often do we think of the people who wake up at night to clean the streets, work throughout hot days and nights to create this amazing infrastructure, who fill your car with petrol in the heat?

    “I am sure we are all aware of the workers in Dubai who maintain our daily convenience and comforts. These people leave their families back home and come here to ensure their loved ones will have a more comfortable life back in their country.

    “Although I am aware the labourers are being taking care of by our government, every time I see them working on the streets I always want to say thank you for doing all this to make this city and my life safe and clean.”

    Zolotova previously cycled across the Liwa desert

    Zolotova previously cycled across the Liwa desert

    To say thank you to the local workforce, Zolotova and Khalaf will put their love of sport and keeping fit to the test with the arduous climb – a risky journey due to the severe weather conditions that climbers often encounter.

    “It is a tough and risky journey but the main challenge is altitude,” added Zolotova, who has worked for sugar traders Czarnikow since 2013.

    “For the last couple of months all I remember is the gym-office-gym-bed – it’s been the same routine every day, interrupted by often going to the laundry since I spend half a day in the gym or at the running track.

    “We have been training twice a day, we wake up every morning at 05:00, doing cardio training and gym, then we go to the office and in the evening from 19:00-21:00 we train again.

    “There is nothing that can really prepare you for the altitude, but by doing lots of running, cycling and swimming you can help your body get used to cardio activities and by training in the gym you can ensure you will be able to carry your 20kg bag. I also find running up the stairs is one of the best exercises to prepare.”

    It’s sure to be a grueling trek, but previous endeavours will surely stand her in good stead, even though she only took up running in 2015 during her recovery from illness.

    “In general being outdoor is my favorite activity. Mohamad and I spend the winter in Oman mountains,” added Volotova, who claims her hobby has its pitfalls.

    “Outdoor sport is very different from any other sport. If you run or cycle on the track and fall you most probably will get up and continue or in the worst case you will call for help. If you fall in mountains then you are in trouble as most probably you won’t have connection, the terrain will be tough and it will take real effort to get help.

    “Elbrus is similar to our Kilimanjaro challenge. It’s approximately 300m less in altitude but has severe weather conditions that change every day and sometimes every hour. It also is more technical and we have to use extra safety equipment.

    “The main difference is you have to carry your bags yourself, we won’t have the luxury of Sherpas like in Kilimanjaro or Everest base camp. But I feel we are ready for this.”

    Although Zolotova and Khalaf will be tackling Elbrus alone, UAE residents can do their part by helping their hard-working yet underappreciated local workforce.

    You can donate hygiene items – soaps, towels, toothpastes, body lotions, etc – which the duo will distribute at labour camps once they return from their trip.

    They are coordinating their efforts with Red Crescent and we people can make donations at stands in Times Square Center.

    “We invite all citizens and residents to participate in our initiative and to say one big thank you,” added Zolotova.

    “Between September 3-20 everyone can pass by Times Square Center and drop off donations, boxes will be located on the ground floor and you can drop off your donation here. We do not ask for much – a soap or shampoo for Dh5 or 10 is more than enough.

    “For many of us this cost is nothing but for those workers it might be a lot and we all know how hygiene items are important, especially in the summer.

    “Please help us to thank our laborers, they sacrificed their own comforts to ensure people of the UAE live in comfort. Let’s help bring a piece of comfort to their lives too.”

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