"We need to do everything we can to get ours to the 2026 Olympics"

On December 13, the Olympic Assembly elected a new leadership of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC). Russian Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyarev became the president of the organization on a non-alternative basis. A new executive committee of the ROC was elected for four years, with Natalia Gart, president of the Russian Luge Federation, retaining her seat among others. In her interview to Izvestia, she shared her opinion on the results of the elections and stated the need to build relations with international organizations in order to lift sanctions against Russian athletes and achieve their performance at the next Winter Olympic Games in 2026 in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy.

- What main points do you emphasize after the election of the new leadership of the ROC?

- Personally, I was satisfied with everything that happened at the Olympic meeting and the way it ended. I heard for myself the main thing - where we are going. And this is the way to the warming of relations in the international arena.

As the Minister of Sport Mikhail Degtyarev, the President-elect of the ROC, told us, we must not close ourselves off from world sport and must do everything to bring our athletes back to all international competitions. I believe that this is a wise approach. And that despite any offenses, we must work in this direction in the interests of our athletes, so that they once again get a chance to prove themselves at the most prestigious competitions against the best.

- How do you assess the chances of luge athletes to compete at international competitions at least in a neutral status in the near future?

- I really hope that it will happen. But now, as it seems to me, we should not talk about it yet. Because we are about to have the next Congress of the International Luge Federation (FIL), which will make decisions on the relevant issue. It's hard to say what they will be, so I refrain from giving detailed answers to the question about the chances of our luge athletes' return soon.

- Do you somehow maintain relations with the FIL leadership after the suspension of the Russians from competitions?

- We maintain relations. Of course, they are not as close as they were before. But I hope that they will be restored to the full extent and it will help our luge athletes to return to international competitions.

- Do you have an understanding of the proportions in which the FIL Congress members are divided into those who are for you, against you or neutral?

- I think the general line is more important here. If the leadership of the International Luge Federation will come closer to us, the chances for a quick resolution of all the contradictions will be good. How possible is it in the near future? I don't know, I find it difficult to answer this question so far.

In any case, we are in constant contact with the leaders of the federation within the framework of official events - the Russian delegation visits the FIL congress, there is communication. Therefore, we are aware of all the latest innovations in luge. All the disciplines that are introduced in the program of international competitions, we immediately introduce at home. For example, the mixed relay.

- So you won't have to compete in it from scratch?

- Yes. We are doing everything to keep up with FIL and to make our athletes as ready as possible to return to the international arena as soon as such an opportunity appears. But as long as the sanctions are in place, there is a suspension of all our athletes, coaches and functionaries. I hope that one day this will stop.

- Have other federations offered the leading Russian luge athletes to take citizenship of their countries and compete in international competitions under their flags?

- No, there was no such thing. At least, I haven't heard of any such offers.

- The 2026 Olympics in Cortina d'Ampezzo are just over a year away. Do you believe that Russian luge skiers have a chance to qualify for it?

- I don't like to predict anything. We just have to do our best to get to the Olympics. And then we'll see what result it will lead to, what we can achieve.