Olympic champion Semyon Elistratov said that he is now thinking not only about the result, but also about how to contribute to the popularization of short track speed skating.
On Friday, Elistratov finished second in the 1,500m at the Spartakiad of the Strongest in Chelyabinsk. Vladimir Balbekov won gold, Maxim Shevelev took bronze.
“For me now, the most important task is for the Russian Skating Union to use my name and attract as many journalists as possible, so that as many things as possible are created to attract the media.
— How long are you willing to stay in the sport in this capacity?
— I’m not an extra on the team. Now I’m in the top 3. I really want my sport, short track speed skating, to be more recognizable and popular, so that people talk about it… I’m not a mentor, they don’t mentor me. not take to competitions based on my former merits. I won the Russian all-around championship, now I am second. There is no question for me regarding the outcome. Yes, I’m trying to be in the top 3 to keep my tone, in case they let me in. I still have hope – 3% or 1% for admission, that I will have time to see my friends, to go to the World Cup, but to get on the podium.
— Do you consider yourself an active athlete in the next Olympic cycle?
“I have such an interesting career, with ups and downs. I don’t think that far ahead. I want to run until 2026. I think maybe the Ministry of Sports will organize the winter “Friendship Games”. It will be visible there. I have a lot of experience, enormous knowledge and I want to pass it on to young people.
I am now trying to find a point of support to participate in the popularization of short track speed skating. So that this does not happen, Elistratov is sitting there, he is no longer running, he is being dragged away for his past services. I don’t want this, I’m afraid, and if it happens, I’m done.
I don’t know how to popularize it, I’m trying to get a foothold in that. Nikolai Alekseevich Gulyaev should think about it. My job is to make sure this doesn’t interfere with the training program, so that everything works as one mechanism. I want people to talk about short track speed skating. I know it’s difficult. But the sport must develop, with or without me. I need to show results and attract additional attention, so that people are interested, so that sponsors appear, so that they are broadcast on the federal channel.
— Athletes should also do something to popularize it.
— I agree, but there has to be a (special) person for that. Like a trainer who helps me run – he is a crane, I am a building. And when working with the media, there must be such a person. Everyone has their own job. And there must be a person who will do this and guide. Otherwise, 70% of the media present here will not come to the Russian Cup final. Thanks to the Ministry of Sports for the Spartakiad, for the extra money, but the Spartakiad is just one of the current competitions. Ten departures per year – come, any comments, any activity within reasonable limits. I am worried about the development of short track racing.
— Is there an example for you in media activity with athletes?
— Probably Nikita Nagorny. I don’t know how everything works there, all the pitfalls. But I see (in the media field) mainly biathletes, figure skaters and skiers. Sasha Ovechkin doesn’t run social media, but this is hockey, where the sport comes before you, and his last name comes before him. With us, it’s different,” reports a correspondent, reporting Elistratov’s words.
The opening ceremony of the Spartakiad will take place on Friday in Chelyabinsk. Watch the live broadcast from 5:00 p.m. on the Match channel! TV. Country”, as well as on the sites matchtv.ru and sportbox.ru.
Source : MatchTV
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