“Other countries will see us and maybe think about our return” – Zenit basketball player Gerasimov about the “Friendship Games”

Performance at the Friendship Games will help influence the international community so that federations think about the return of Russians to the world stage, the leader of Zenit and the Russian national team told . Timofey Gerasimov .

Russian athletes in most sports, including basketball, have been suspended from international competitions due to the situation in Ukraine. Basketball players from the Russian national team have been organizing a training camp in Novogorsk since February 17.

— What is your attitude to the fact that the Russian national team and Russian clubs are suspended from international tournaments? Do you understand the meaning of the work you do at training camp?

— Being called up to the national team is a great source of pride for any athlete; everyone wants to play on the international stage. Although we are now deprived of such an opportunity, our federation is doing everything possible to organize tournaments such as the “Friendship Games”, where there will be the possibility of competing against other teams. Yes, it’s not a world or European championship, but other countries will see our game and maybe think about our return. I think everyone looks for motivation in themselves, so all training camps and friendly matches are very useful and have a good effect on our level of play,” Gerasimov told .