The Olympic Assembly on December 12 approved the Beijing-2022 Program. The phrase “prepare your sleigh in the summer” has acquired a new meaning. Already today, four years before the Games begin in China, the winter federations, with assistance from ROC, have started preparations for the main sports forum.
Alexey Kurashov, President of the Freestyle Federation of Russia (FFR), shared his thoughts and suggestions on this topic with the ROC Information Service.
″In the process of developing the Beijing-2022 Program, the Russian Olympic Committee consulted with many federations. We are no exception. During the meeting, we conveyed our wishes to the leadership of ROC.″
– What issue is now the most relevant for FFR?
– Remuneration of domestic specialists. In comparison with foreigners, their salary is quite modest. I think it is necessary to give an opportunity to federations to create incentives for successful Russian coaches, and to do this in coordination with ROC. This is a necessary measure to prevent the outflow of personnel abroad.
– How many foreigners are involved in the preparation of the Russian national freestyle team?
– None, on a permanent basis. The FFR’s policy in the last three years has been aimed at educating its own coaching staff. Sometimes we invite foreigners, but only for master classes in ski equipment and special physical training. When planning such events, we always take into account the status of the specialist: his students must show excellent results.
– During the Olympic meeting you talked about the high efficiency of the Steinshlift program.
– Steinshlift helps to properly prepare the sliding surface of the skis, which is especially important, for example, in the ski-cross discipline. We have already started creating a stage-by-stage plan with ROC in the new Olympic cycle. It is unlikely we could have managed on our own.
– How come?
– It’s not just a matter of applying the shlift on the skis, it’s important to have an integrated approach to the preparation of equipment. This is preceded by analytical work. It is necessary to take into account weather conditions – the temperature, humidity, the structure of snow and many other factors. The sliding surface must be specially prepared for specific tracks and speeds.
– Will the Universiade in Krasnoyarsk be useful in terms of preparation for the 2022 Winter Olympics?
– We view Krasnoyarsk as a platform for the final stage of preparation for the Beijing Games. A very solid infrastructure base is being built there, not many countries have the same. Our federation contacts the Organizing Committee of the Universiade every week and holds test competitions on completed facilities.
– Is China seen as a venue for intensive pre-competition training exercises?
– If there is an opportunity after the test competitions to practice at the Olympic venues, we will only be happy. China is familiar to us. Now the mogul skiing team is in Thaiwoo, where it will take part in the World Cup stage. Regarding your question … I must say that China is an extremely difficult region in terms of sports interaction. We have our own places where we can organize intensive training exercises.
– For example?
– Siberia and the Far East seem to be the most interesting directions. FFR is trying to hold key training exercises in Russia, involving regional teams. And this is paying off. Last year, before the Olympic Games in Pyeongchang, we trained in Sakhalin and in the Kemerovo Region. As a result, Ilya Burov and Sergey Ridzik became the bronze medalists of the Games in ski acrobatics and ski cross.
– How do you plan to solve the problem of adaptation to the climatic and geographical conditions of Beijing?
– In this regard, we have a good ally represented by the ROC Innovation Center, and we have been cooperating for a long time. Specialists of the Innovation Center travelled with us to both Sakhalin and Pyeongchang. I hope that they will help us in the new Olympic cycle.
