The speed skating season is already over, in short track the final championship of the country is coming to an end. spoke with the President of the Russian Skating Union Nikolai Gulyaev on the results of the 2022/2023 season, which was his first in this position.
— Nikolay Alekseevich, what have you managed to implement this season, when there were no international competitions?
— We have made it our job to raise the level of competitions and we have done so through many components, including through online broadcasts. So that everyone has the opportunity to watch the flagship competitions and thanks to this, among other things, to have feedback. Next season we will try to introduce new start formats, let’s see how fans, athletes and everyone who loves skating will react.
– Do you already have plans for the venues for the Russian championships?
– I think it is already possible to say about speed skating where the championships will be held. Kemerovo will host the Russian All-Around Championship, Irkutsk will host the National Championship at separate distances.
– Will they change places compared to this year?
– Yes. Kemerovo won the championship for the first time this year. At the beginning there were some remarks on the quality of the ice cream, but that’s quite normal for a start, and the quality of the ice cream has grown from what it was. This is noted by many.
— Kemerovo and Irkutsk — These are, among other things, long flights. Some have visited Irkutsk several times this year.
“I think it’s a normal process. When you have an international season, there are transatlantic flights. , for athletes, it’s a common thing. I don’t see a problem with that.
As for the geography of departures in general. We would certainly like to organize competitions on natural ice, but now the climatic situation has changed and it is very difficult to plan them. We can’t build our whole country with skating rings, but we still have rinks that can take starts and do it at a good level.
— Speaking of the international season. How was your trip to the Netherlands for the conference?
– In normal operating mode, I did not feel anything negative. They discussed questions about the development of speed skating, about increasing its attractiveness. I can say that we are already doing some of the things that were proposed at the conference.
– How did you manage to solve the price problem this season? Have there been any complaints from athletes?
– I can say that in the current situation, we have done everything possible to ensure the prize money. Work should be rewarded and that’s understandable, but I don’t think this issue should be in the foreground – there were cash prizes in multiple competitions. We also know that the Ministry of Sports also pays prizes to winners and winners of the Russian championship.
– Didn’t you feel that the athletes had become a bit emotionally “addicted” during the season?
– In short track, I didn’t notice that at all. Maybe it was drawn somewhere in the skates, but it’s also individual, there was no such general mood.
— About the short track. Victor An did not receive a position in the South Korean national team. Have you contacted him about cooperation?
– We’re on good terms. But as far as I know, he is not yet ready to work in Russia, in particular, there is still a family problem here.
— First Deputy Minister of Sports of the Russian Federation Azat Kadyrov spoke about the priority of the task of creating a high mountain training complex. Is this a very relevant story for you?
– Absolutely. We even went to see a possible location for construction. This is indeed one of the comprehensive tasks for the future, we hope it will be implemented.
– What can you say about the tasks for the coming season?
– This, of course, is a return to the international scene, the preparation of the closest reserve, which can already strengthen the team for the Olympic Games in 2026, during which, I am sure, our athletes will be efficient.
Source : MatchTV
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