Biathlete Ekaterina Noskova in an interview with , she said she didn’t know how much extra motivation she would have to perform in the absence of international departures.
In March 2022, the International Biathlon Union (IBU) suspended Russian and Belarusian athletes from participating in competitions under its auspices. On September 16, the sanctions were extended. However, the IBU has the right to lift the suspension at any time “under certain conditions”.
– Now there is such talk that the suspension of international competitions allows us to develop internally. Juniors and young people run in the same competitions with top athletes in skiing and biathlon, have the opportunity to watch them, take an example and catch up with them. Do you agree with this opinion, or is it still difficult to develop and seek motivation without the World Cup and international rivalry?
– Probably, for young athletes it is a plus. Regarding the fact that they run with the base. Usually this happened only at one start of the season – the Russian championship, which was not very indicative of the results. And here, throughout the season, you can race with the leaders, and for the youngsters it’s a very good test.
And for us, I would say for me, it’s hard to find the motivation. It turns out that this season we are not racing at international level, but for me it was one of the most difficult seasons in terms of the preparatory period. We increased the volume of work a lot, we did a lot of work, and at times it was difficult to do everything. Because you do it and you think: why am I doing this?
Somehow I found strength in myself, I spoke with coaches, relatives and friends, my family supports me a lot, I thank them. In other words, I want to grow as an athlete, I can follow my dynamic. Well, everything I did this summer, in preparation for the season, it gave a result. I improved both functionally and shooting.
It wasn’t all in vain, and that’s probably the main thing. But it’s still hard to say how much motivation will last.
– I understand that you are offended that you have done such a good job, that you have had a certain leap in results and that you cannot fulfill your potential at international level, show yourself.
– It’s very embarrassing, yes.
– My opinion is that our sport will somehow survive another season, and when the other’s digestion begins, we will slow down in results. Athletes don’t have enough emotional charge. In skiing, Bolshunov and Nepryaeva are above everyone, it is impossible to maintain this level there. If the suspension is extended, do you think the athletes will change their nationality or end their career? It may be easier for someone to make money in another field.
– I agree with you that the season, maybe two more, we can go to the internal competition and wait to be admitted. If it lasts longer and there is no prospect of admission, then probably many athletes will look elsewhere, Noskova told .
Source : MatchTV
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