The last major diving competition in Moscow took place in 2015. Then even the athletes had “Olympic”. Jumping returned to the capital during the ” Kremlin Cup”. We spoke about the current realities with the president of the Moscow Diving Sports Federation, Gleb Galperin.
– Seven years without competition in Moscow is a long time.
– Big, of course, but there are certain circumstances that did not allow big competitions with the participation of Olympians.
– Is it related to the situation on the objects?
— By 2023 and 2024, there will be more objects. By 2024, it is planned to build a swimming pool in the south of Moscow – in the Zamoskvorechye region. Everything has been signed and construction is about to begin. It should be an object that meets all modern requirements. In addition, this pool (MOTSVS) is planned to be rebuilt for jumpers.
– And now, taking into account that the CSKA swimming pool is no more, the Olimpiyskiy is under reconstruction – where do we train?
– In the Olympic Village pool and also we are recruiting in the CSKA VMF pool on Voikovskaya. But there, depending on the conditions, it is more for small children, it is difficult for professionals to take care of them. Twenty years ago there was diving there, but in 2019 the situation was such that we were already doing jumps there with our own hands. The RSUPC was closed, but it was necessary to work, to save the technical staff.
– Is there anything planned for jumpers in the new “Olympic”? And how come there was a critical number of objects?
— Yes, it is planned. We are waiting for the reconstruction to be completed.
And how it all happened… First, the RSUPC was closed for reconstruction, which turned out to be longer, and then this completely unexpected story with CSKA. It was difficult to influence all this.
Of course, we would like the situation to be different. Now it remains to wait a bit. But despite this situation, Moscow athletes are among the leaders.
— What feedback have you received on the Kremlin Cup? How are people reacting to the new competition format?
– Impressive. Honestly, the decision about this tournament was made pretty quickly – within a month. We briefly talked with RFPV President Stanislav Vladimirovich Druzhinin, the next day we looked at the facilities and decided to hold competitions.
– You took a risk. On Sunday there was a thunderstorm forecast and the pool was open.
— I jumped in the rain and in the hail. No hot water, no shower… Someone was filming, but the contest took place. A stormy wind is critical, of course, but in Moscow it’s a rarity lately. In general, I really like the appearance of the object (MOTSVS pool), room. I think a lot of people liked it. The main evaluation in any case of the public.
– Now many departures are organized to support the athletes. Can you imagine how you would feel in their place? How would all of this affect motivation?
– I thought about it and, to be honest, I have a hard time imagining it. It’s good that the guys have competitions, now the period where they happen almost every week. But I hope the situation will change soon, because motivation can be sought, but how much is enough … Although … I spoke with the guys. They are determined to work and feel supported by the federation and the regions. Even if, once again, it is difficult for me to answer for them.
– You also lived for four years in sports. And this reference to the Games was important.
– He stays. It must be kept. Now, it is not said that we will not participate.
– Has anyone ever tried to get a Chinese athlete to play for the Russian national team?
– No, even if I offered to sign a Chinese coach. But it was relevant somewhere in 2016, there were issues with the results. As for the Chinese in the team, we have excellent youth and a solid team in general. Somewhere we can even move the Chinese.
– If it is now possible to attract the Chinese in joint competitions, will this solve the problem of competition for a while?
– Simultaneously, but not globally. First you need to understand who they can bring. But in principle, the story is good, I hope you can do it.
– What do you think of diving?
– Doubly. It is impressive, no doubt. But in terms of technique, sharpness and dynamics, the classic jumps, from my point of view, win.
— But according to the photo, the high dive is very cool.
– If we do tournaments in classic jumps, taking into account all the moments of the image, it will also be very spectacular.
– Can you organize competitions with the Kremlin as a backdrop? In Kazan, top divers jumped like that.
Let’s leave this idea for the future.
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Source : MatchTV
