“I have a negative attitude towards this” – winner of the Red Olympics about the initiative of preferential admission of athletes to universities

Olympic medalist in swimming Alexander Krasnykh in a conversation with , he expressed the opinion that winning athletes of the Friendship Games, BRICS Games and Future Games should enter higher educational institutions in general.

Previously, a bill was submitted for consideration to the State Duma, according to which the winners of official international competitions held in Russia under sanctions, and not only the largest international competitions, will be able to enter sports universities without entrance exam. The list of competitions that will qualify for benefits may include the BRICS Games, Friendship Games and Future Games. The relevant document notes that the possibility of preferential admission to universities can motivate athletes not to change their sports citizenship.

– I have a very negative attitude about this. A limited number of top foreign athletes can participate in these competitions, which will automatically reduce the level of competition. I communicate with the guys who are now studying at the academy, they are eager to develop our sport and move forward on the scientific path. Unfortunately, they cannot win the BRICS Games or the Friendship Games due to insufficient sportsmanship.

And here athletes who have not studied for a long time take the place of those guys who, in terms of knowledge, are perhaps better prepared to enter a certain specialty. Even if you get coaching, not every good athlete can become a good coach. Education is education. We must study.

In our time, the honorary title of Honored Master of Sports began to be awarded for incomprehensible relay races at the European Championships. And in other sports, I know, the situation is the same. That is, the honor and meaning of the title have been leveled. And now the same situation will happen with education.

I think admission should be general. An athlete who has acquired knowledge in practice must systematize it. Education allows us to systematize this knowledge. Additionally, we have coaches and instructors. If you want to become an instructor, this is a story; If you want to be a coach, go to college. Only this will increase the quality level of children’s training.

At first, sport is a hobby for everyone, but then it can turn into work. And to perform it at a good level, you need to constantly acquire new knowledge and study. I think it makes sense.

“Now they will say: this Krasnykh graduated, finished his career and now wants others to suffer.”

— I entered on a general basis based on the results of the Unified State Exam, and then transferred to the Volga State University of Physical Culture, Sports and Tourism. Then he entered higher education on a general basis. I wrote courses, passed state tests, everything was like everyone else, ”Krasnykh told .