“VFLA has completed all points on the recovery roadmap. But there are still doubts.” Interview with Irina Privalova

The winter season has begun in Russian athletics. The “NG Ozolin and VM Dyachkov Memorial”, held on Wednesday in the GTSOLIFK arena, became the third tournament since the start of 2023. It included top athletes: Ekaterina Koneva , Maria Lasitskene Danil Chechela, Polina Knoroz.

The All-Russian Athletics Federation (VFLA) remains on hold. Last November, the Council of the World Athletics Association (World Athletics) did not restore ARAF membership to its composition, but recommended that the task force do so in March 2023.

This seems to be good news, but the first vice-president of our federation Irina Privalova is cautiously optimistic about it. She talked about this and much more in an interview with at the end of the tournament in Moscow.

– Your daughter Maria jumped triple at the Ozolin and Dyachkov memorial, but you weren’t in the area. Why?

– For her, it was the start of training, she jumped from a short run. Masha’s session at the university has just ended. Main competitions at the end of February. There will be serious preparation for them.

– That is to say that this burst can be called retraction for her?

Let’s say training. Therefore, we did not expect great results.

– But do you follow Maria’s career closely?

– I usually don’t fit in. Triple sprint jump away. It’s quite technical.

How about some tips for staying in shape? You have a great experience.

– In this regard, yes. I can give you some advice.

– When you were acting head of ARAF, you felt that you were under serious pressure because of the situation in which the federation finds itself, of the uncertainty with the restoration.

– Sure. Now, in this regard, it has become much easier, although there is still a lot of work to do. Many trips across the country.

– If I understand correctly, now you are more involved in domestic competitions, together with Yuri Borzakovsky.

– We have always worked very well with Yura. We’ve known each other for quite a while. We now have a very good team in the federation.

– You were optimistic about the restoration of the VFLA in World Athletics and made precise predictions that it could take place at the end of 2022. The decision has been postponed until March. Are the forecasts still optimistic?

– Hope dies last. I am an optimist in life. But there is always some kind of wormhole.

So are there any doubts?

– Not without.

– Are they linked to the geopolitical situation?

– Yes. That’s why I’m afraid to talk about it again.

— Has ARAF fulfilled all the points of the recovery roadmap?

– Yes, it’s true. There are no questions to ARAF on the roadmap. But when decisions are made at the highest level and there are talks that the state has deceived us… In such a situation, we say to ourselves that it is better to wait.

– Revelations of Sergei Litvinov, who confessed to doping – a set-up for the VFLA?

– It’s not a set up, because everything happened in 2012. I remember well when he was blaming everyone around, telling everyone how good and clean he was. And now, when he received a letter, his position has changed dramatically. He confessed not then, but now, when there was not very good news for him.

– Meaning it’s personal and not an attempt to set the VFLA bandwagon on the road to recovery?

“It’s an attempt to redeem himself.

— Doubtful attempt.

– Well, there’s nowhere to go.

– The man admitted to using heavy drugs – anabolic steroids.

I understand if he had confessed earlier. Why has he remained silent for so many years? When there was an old federation, he was silent. When he was abducted, he was silent, did not speak. And now, when there’s nowhere to go, he spoke like this. All is not very pretty.

– How do you find the level of competition at the start of the winter season?

– Ekaterina Koneva jumped 14 meters – a very good result for the start of the season. That says a lot.

– Your daughter performed with her in the sector, Anastasia Matveeva – Tatyana Lebedeva’s daughter. Is it a good experience for them?

– I think so. All young girls who practice the triple jump see it as a serious milestone. I think they will show up in the season.

– Does the VFLA in any way motivate experienced athletes to apply for tournaments and continue to compete?

– Yes, prizes are awarded, opportunities are found. In the conditions in which Russian sports find themselves, athletics finds the strength and resources to support its athletes.