Belarusian national team coach Oleg Ryzhenkov told that his biathletes will not take part in the Spartakiad mass start in Zlatoust, as Russian regional teams need to score points in the overall standings.
In accordance with the order of the Ministry of Sports, published on the official website of the Russian Biathlon Union (RBU), 10 Belarusian biathletes (5 men and 5 women) will perform at the Spartakiad, athletes are represented in all disciplines , with the exception of general start races, scheduled for February 17 and 18. The decision on the participation of Belarusians in the Spartakiad was made a few days before the start of the competition.
— How did you receive the news of your departure for Zlatoust? The decision was not made for a very long time.
“On the one hand it was unexpected, on the other hand we still expected that we would be allowed in.” Of course, I would have liked to have been informed a little earlier, because we had a different training plan, but a big event awaits us, where there will be a high level of wrestling.
— We don’t run here during the mass start. Have you discovered why?
– We know why, everything is clear here. These competitions are held mainly between the constituent entities of the Russian Federation, and we understand this. If it was a big mass start then maybe we had a chance of getting in, but when there are 30 people it’s not entirely right of us to take away points to the regions.
— They can be selected in both sprint and pursuit.
– We participate outside the program, our results will not be taken into account, so it will not affect the fight between your subjects. There are 30 people in the mass start, and if we play, say, five of us, it turns out that only 25 people will perform. The regions must score points.
-Did you take it well?
— It is clear that I wanted to participate in the group start, but we are constrained here by the law. And we don’t want to spoil your image either,” Ryzhenkov told .
The biathlon competitions within the framework of the Spartakiad will take place from February 10 to 18 in Zlatoust.
On Saturday February 10, sprint races will take place at the Spartakiad. Watch the live broadcast of the men’s start from 9:30 Moscow time, the women’s start from 12:15 Moscow time on and Match! Arena”, as well as the websites matchtv.ru and sportbox.ru.
Source : MatchTV
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