“There is no longer a chance of competing in even the theoretical Olympics.” Track coach Coach Kovpanets – about the leaders of the national team and prospects

The Moscow Grand Prix is ​​traditionally the middle of the track block in late spring – early summer. At the races in Krylatskoye, the head coach of the Russian national team, Sergey Kovpanets, explained how he plans the season, which, unfortunately, even in theory cannot be called pre-Olympic.

– Sergey Afanasyevich, how do you rate the results at the track Grand Prix?

– After the concrete track in Tula, running in Moscow, of course, is only a plus in terms of seconds. First, we are interested here in the young people, our closest reserve. And they perform at a pretty good level.

– Nastya Voinova took a break from her career. Do you want her back?

– Nastya is now experiencing an important moment in her life – she is preparing to become a mother. But I plan to come back, I hope. Nastya has bronze and silver from the Olympics. I think we should come back and pan for gold.

– Is there a chance to perform at the Paris Olympics? Or is it not even theoretical anymore?

Under current rules, no. I think we can talk about it now. There was a hope of speaking at the World Championships in the team sprint, but now it’s gone.

– Because of the recommendations of the International Olympic Committee?

– Yes.

— Have you received an official response from the UCI in the team disciplines?

– Yes. Team sprint, team races – these are all types without us.

And Madison?

– Also recognized as a command species.

– That is to say that even if you now go to competitions of a level lower than the world championship, you will not perform in Madison?

– Well, I think it’s up to the organizers. And here, like this, they drew a line under the World Cup.

– In which sports is there a chance of participating in the World Championships?

– Git female and male, individual breed. But for now, we need to understand what our common position is on this issue, what is the common position of our sports community.

– Misha Yakovlev left for the Israeli national team. Are you sorry?

– Misha just performed so well. So, of course, we lost a great pilot.

– Denis Dmitriev went to train in China. How was it received?

– Denis is a titled adult athlete. He has a great experience. Moreover, while Misha was there, there was a struggle, but now there is no such opponent, and, of course, he somehow wants to change, besides he needs excitement. I think he will establish a certain cycle and then he will decide what to do next.

– Some federations are already receiving requests for the transfer of athletes, sometimes not for one, but for several at the same time. Have you had?

– Yes. Was. The guys were paid big fees, salaries were promised. But, let’s say, we stopped this situation.

– WHO? Federation?

– First of all, the athletes themselves. In the end, everyone decides for themselves. They weighed everything, the coaches weighed everything and decided to refuse.

— What is your next plan after the Russian championship in July?

— I think we are going to prepare for the Asian Games. I’m sure we will go there. Moreover, the same Chinese have strong sprinters. So, of course, we’d like to start there.

Now we need to figure out what the principled solution to the current situation will be, and then we’ll move on. But, of course, you have to try, you have to try to break into tournaments. If not, where do the guys get their motivation from?