“Ambitions and emotions are no longer the same. » Sergei Fesikov on his retirement from swimming

Sergei Fesikov At the Russian Championship he announced his decision to end his career. In an interview with , the Olympic medalist spoke about his journey in sport, in which he plans to stay, but in a new role.

“The time has come when it is time to enter into life.” Competitive ambitions are no longer the same, you have to think about your health. Almost 35 after all. I no longer feel these emotions, even during the training process. I have eaten too much. Some sort of motivation, some sort of goal may be necessary, but under current conditions, if we are realistic, it will probably be enough. I arrived in my current brigade in Obninsk, the guys arrived, I was a kind of locomotive – I stimulated myself, scolded myself and pulled myself. Now I want to play a different role, not as a professional swimmer. I had quite good development. During the time I was dealing with an injury, I unlearned and gained new knowledge that I now want to put into practice.

— Do you stay sporty?

– Where would I be without him? We are addicts in this regard. I won’t reveal all the details yet. A coaching career is interesting, but I am not yet ready to fully enter this vicious circle – I am ready to transfer knowledge, experience, developments, innovations, but this “training-competition” schedule Continuous isn’t for me yet.

I continue to help my team through the general physical preparation system, where we have good level athletes. They believe me, they trust me. They rush into the hall, that makes me happy.

In addition, Nastya (Fesikova – approx.) and I organize training camps, master classes, various events and have collected a certain contingent of children brought to us.

I am very grateful to everyone who has helped me and worked with me throughout my career, and I am grateful to the federation. Thanks to the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug, they created all working conditions for three Olympic cycles and helped. I would like to thank the leadership of the region, the Ministry of Sports of the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Okrug, they saw prospects for development and received a positive vector, they had athletes of international level. I would like to say a big thank you to my teammates, we have become more than colleagues. Thanks to my parents and those of Nastya. They helped us and gave us the opportunity to compete and train.

I had a lot of coaches and I was really lucky with everyone. They accepted me as family and everyone contributed to my development not only as an athlete, but also as a person. Unfortunately, Sergei Valentinovich Doinichenko died recently. It was a hard blow for me. He helped me when I was training in Yaroslavl, at that time in my life when I began my independent adult life. He did a lot for me. And even when I left for Italy, we talked together and he supported me to take a new step in my development. I could always call him for advice. He became an honored coach, but I didn’t have time to tell him much. I wish he could see my goodbye swim.

We had a strong team, we became more than colleagues.

– The most important moment of this period of your career – London 2012?

— Olympics, wedding and, I would say, return to the Kaluga region. It’s a turning point. I did not qualify for the 2016 Games, I already had a family, a child, and I wanted to say “stop”. But after that, there were another seven years of career! The return was a 100% reboot. A great team, a great brigade, and a competition with young people has been formed. Over these 2-3 years, we all together brought the Kaluga region team to a new level. There was support from the region, a strategy and a good position.

— Is it disappointing that you failed to win an individual medal at the Olympic Games? Didn’t the title of “torchbearer” bother you?

– It never bothered me. Everyone has their own stereotypes. I have always been for the team. Maybe I chose the wrong sport, maybe it would have been better in a team sport (smiles).

— By the way, are you seeing the London Games relay again?

– Never. It was buried somewhere in the subcortex. We don’t think about her, even when we meet the guys. This moment comes once in a lifetime. Besides, we are maximalists, and our bronze is not gold. Regarding the personal medal… I am not an egoist and from a sporting point of view, it is of course a minus. For me, the priorities of team, camaraderie, partnership and friendship have always been at the forefront. If there were contradictions with someone somewhere, you have to dig for a long time. I tried to stay human and sometimes it worked against me. There were prerequisites for obtaining more personal medals, but everything does not always go as we wish.

— What kind of sports do your son and Nastya play?

– They let me swim, but that’s secondary. Growing up with a ball since childhood – playing basketball. He has his own desires, his own vision.

— In other words, you sent your child to a team sport.

– Yes! But he also swims well and has completed his first youth level. He can swim with a third adult, but it takes more practice. A versatile child. All while growing as an athlete. Our job is to guide and advise. We don’t put sport first. He will choose his own path. I love like dad. It is the most important.