“A politicized attitude towards certain competitions hinders the development of sport” – Azarov

Samara Region Governor Dmitry Azarov told that Russia is open to cooperation in all areas and a politicized attitude towards certain competitions is hampering the development of sport.

On Wednesday July 12, the fifth stage of the Silk Way rally-raid started in Samara, the route of which will head towards Saratov. The rally will end on July 15.

– How did you agree that the route would pass through the Samara region?

– Vladimir Gennadievich (Chagin – approx. “”), with whom we have known each other for more than a year, called and said: “Listen, we want to go through the Samara region.” Since the holding of such an event is important for the Samara region, of course, I immediately considered this issue. Then there was a call from the head of the Republic of Tatarstan, my friend, our good neighbor, Rustam Nurgalievich (Minnikhanov – about “”). In general, the work on the preparation began to boil.

– Vladimir Gennadievich says that every new year is a new race, a new course, there is a struggle between regions to enter the number of participants …

— Of course, the race is interesting. For many regions, this event is absolutely essential. For our region, where there are technical sports, where particular attention is paid to motor sports, this is of course very important.

At the same time, it is very interesting that this rally brought together car and motorsport enthusiasts from different countries. This once again shows that Russia is happy to receive guests, Russia is open to cooperation in all areas, and sport is by no means an exception here. And our country creates the conditions for sport to bring people from different countries together, make friends, promote mutual understanding, which is inherent in the principles of Olympism. Unfortunately, today, on the international scene, the attitude towards sport is different. A politicized attitude towards certain competitions hinders the development of sport and, consequently, the rapprochement of nations and peoples.

“A lot of guys can’t do their job professionally because of the ban on taking part in the Dakar. Not fair?

– Guys are professional in their assigned work – in what they know best. It’s sport, it’s training, it’s the prestige of our country. They will certainly not lose their skills with such a length of roads as in Russia. Therefore, there is such leeway for the rally. I am happy that Vladimir Gennadyevich and his associates have big plans, Azarov told correspondent.

covers the Silk Way Rally on a daily basis in press releases, the Vse na Match program, on the matchtv.ru website and on social media.