Rodnina: “I wouldn’t say that the Russian figure skating school is the best in the world”

The Russian school of figure skating is still very strong, but it should not be called the best in the world, says the three-time Olympic champion and State Duma deputy. Irina Rodnina .

The European Figure Skating Championships began on Wednesday in Kaunas, Lithuania. Russian athletes remain suspended from competitions under the auspices of the International Skating Union (ISU). At the same time, 24 Russian-born athletes represent other countries at the tournament: the teams of Azerbaijan, Armenia, Hungary, Germany, Georgia, Israel, Spain, Netherlands , Poland, Serbia, Slovakia, Finland, France and the Czech Republic. Republic.

— It has always been true that a large number of representatives of our school play for other countries. When the Soviet Union collapsed at the 1992 Olympics, literally every athlete was from our school. I don’t see anything wrong with the fact that our athletes now represent other teams. Our country is big, we have no borders.

— Is such a large representation a confirmation that Russia has the best figure skating school in the world?

— I don’t want to waste the “best” setting. If you don’t pat yourself on the back, no one will, that’s understandable. The Russian school is really very strong. But I wouldn’t say she’s the best. In some places it is better, in others it is worse. Moreover, our whole life goes according to a curve – from top to bottom,” Rodnina told .