A Russian track and field athlete told how he worked as a lawn mower in a cemetery for 1,000 rubles.

Russian 60 and 200 meter champion Konstantin Krylov told that two years ago he worked as a lawn mower and laborer because athletics did not yet bring him income.

Last August, 19-year-old Krylov won the 200-meter race at the Russian Championships in Chelyabinsk with a result of 20.52 seconds. In February, he became first in the 60-meter race (6.64) at the Russian Winter Tournament in Moscow. Also in February, Krylov scored victories in the 60 meters (6.56) and 200 meters (20.72) at the Russian Indoor Championships in Moscow.

— You said earlier that two years ago you had to work part-time. Did you win a lot there?

— I earned a little money and I didn’t work there for long. There was a break between competitions, I worked as a lawn mower in a cemetery with school friends. They paid a thousand a day. Well, there were also “kalyms”: they could ask you to mow the lawn somewhere for a fee. He was also a worker: he washed containers and transported cement.

— Not all coaches approve of athletes working part-time, even in the most difficult situations. What was your coach’s reaction?

— I wasn’t at that level yet, so it was probably possible (laughs). The season is over, spend your time as you wish. Coach probably didn’t even know that. I only discovered it later (laughs).

— But then you didn’t resort to part-time work because you started earning more in athletics?

— Then I didn’t make any money at all in athletics.

— At that time you didn’t want to give up sport?

“I could have started studying and working, but I decided to stay. » Well, there were no prerequisites for my departure, because I had a good season. The coach told me to confidently prepare for the winter,” Krylov told .