“One day, someone will have to dare and let us compete.” Gulyaev – about the start of the season, Kulizhnikov, Spartakiad and prize money

The season is already open in speed skating and short track speed skating. Almost all the leaders returned to competitive training, and Ruslan Murashov even achieved the best result of the season in the world on the flat rinks of the “500”. President of the Russian Skating Union Nikolai Gulyaev in an interview with talks about the structure of the calendar, opportunities for additional awards, the situation around the world record holder Pavel Kulizhnikov and the organization of the Spartakiad of the strongest in Chelyabinsk.

“We started the season successfully in speed skating and short track speed skating. But, as I said earlier, the tasks of the Russian Skating Union are not only to support and accompany athletes in centralized training, as well as the nearest reserve, but also to popularize our sport, its development and to study its interest through various events in a festival formula. These include projects such as “Everything is ready”, “The Ice of Our Hope” and several other projects of regional federations that we support.

Additionally, one of our central events is World Skating Day. It will take place at the VDNKh ice rink, but this time we want to expand the format and organize it in more locations: in St. Petersburg and several other regions.

— On , you categorically declared that this season there would be no international starts for speed skaters and short track speed skating. Hopeless? Even for junior competitions?

— I do not see a single international winter federation that is generally ready to take on such responsibility and take at least a few steps to level the situation. Ultimately, one day someone will have to be brave enough to solve the customs clearance problem. We wrote an appeal to ISU with a request for admission of our juniors. But you know that our issue was not even discussed in the ISU Council, although it was on the official agenda. We continue to have official and unofficial contacts, but the question “when will everything be okay?” They just shrug their shoulders.

— This year, the Spartakiad of the Strongest will take place in Chelyabinsk. Are you able to organize it in the same way as the European Championship was held in the past – with full stands?

— This is why we chose Chelyabinsk as the venue for these competitions, there is great interest in our sport there. In addition, we can hold short track competitions at the Ural Lightning, and not at the training rink, as was previously the case at All-Russian tournaments. Today, great efforts are being made by Chelyabinsk to achieve this. I am more than convinced that the competition will take place at the highest level and we will show our foreign colleagues, who denied us the already planned ISU tournaments in Russia, how we know how to organize such starts.

— Chelyabinsk and Pavel Kulizhnikov — the topic of last year, which has recently received wide publicity. Will he have difficulty entering the arena?

“All I can say about this story as president of the Russian Skating Union is: I have no right to allow violations of the regulations. Everyone is equal before the law. And it’s the same here. In sports, when you get off the podium, you start to prove your sanity again, again you have to fight for a place in the team, qualify, go through the selection process. The requirements are the same for everyone, which means everyone must comply with them. There would have been force majeure, harm or other difficult circumstances – but this was not the case. I don’t think there’s even anything to discuss here. This is my position: maximum respect for the sporting principle, everything must be clear, honest and clean.

— Even under current conditions, is there no room for exceptions?

— A person follows centralized training at state expense. There are rights and responsibilities. And the athlete must not only train, but also compete. And with exceptions and behind-the-scenes decisions, we can kill faith in justice among the younger generation.

— Pasha said he suffered from bipolar disorder and was seeing a psychiatrist. Did you know ?

– No. Our rules state that with an official medical report or appeal, an appropriate decision can be made. Nothing has been officially provided.

— Olga Fatkulina returns to the Spartakiad of the Strongest. Do you hope his return gets more attention?

– Certainly! This is one of the factors that also draws attention to the Spartakiad. Plus, it’s his hometown, his ice rink!

— The Spartakiad of the Strongest is held entirely under the auspices of the Ministry of Sports of the Russian Federation, and prize money is also paid. Which competitions this season does the Russian Skating Union offer prize money?

— Last year, it was only general. This year, cash prizes will be awarded at the Commonwealth Cup in the competition “In Memory of BI Shavyrin”, at the Russian Championships of the All-Around Speed ​​Skating and Short Track Speed ​​Skating, as well as to the Russian Cup final. I would like to have more opportunities to increase the prize fund, we are working on it, although times are certainly difficult.

— Have you ever thought about offering a cash reward for the best result? For example, for the top 10 in the world rankings?

– This is an other story. In addition to the cash prize already announced, we would like to offer a cash prize for the most significant result. We are currently working on this idea.

— Regarding summer training. Sports that train on public trails are experiencing serious problems. This year there have been several tragic stories among cyclists. How to solve the problem of cycling training?

— It would be great to organize cycling training in a specially safe zone, but so far such an opportunity does not exist in Russia. This is why training camps, which involve a large amount of cycling training, mainly take place in Belarus. There it takes place more safely and with better quality. The question is very relevant and serious, because the lives and safety of athletes are at stake. It would be great if such a cluster appeared for cycling training in Russia.

— We talked about Fatkulina, but so far there is no news about Natalya Voronina. She is training, but have you discussed with her a return to competitive practice?

— There is no official information yet. But when such strong athletes as Natalya participate in competitions with such high results in the international arena, this serves as a kind of incentive for young athletes. So I would be very happy to find her again.

— Have you sent documents to the ISU with the decision of the executive committee regarding Golubeva, Silaeva and Nikita Klevchena?

— They sent me to both the ISU and the Kazakhstan federation. Literally the day after the executive committee. I can guess what decision they will make, but it will be on their conscience. The main thing is that we act strictly according to our position.