"There is a feeling that we will have international launches soon"

Polina Tkalich, one of the leading Russian track and field athletes, won a brilliant victory in the 400 m at the Russian Winter tournament in Moscow. A three‑time champion of Russia, winner of the BRICS 2024 Games in Kazan, the 25‑year-old runner has once again confirmed her high class. In an exclusive interview with Izvestia, the athlete spoke about her belief in an early return to the international stage, the difficulties of adapting back to major global starts after a four-year absence, and her plans for the season.

"The main goals are a personal best in winter and summer"

— How do you like the atmosphere at the Russian Winter?

— The atmosphere is as usual, very noisy, very exciting for the people in the stands. But only the time in which I ran leaves much to be desired (52.28 seconds with a personal best of 50.16 seconds. — Ed.). Maybe it's because it was only my second start of the season and I just need to run properly.

— What are your tasks for the current winter season?

— For me, the winter season feels no different from the summer season, except that we have competitions in winter. The main goals are to set a personal best both in winter and even more so in summer.

— Were there any special emotions from the fact that foreign athletes competed in some disciplines at the Russian Winter, who, for example, had participation in last year's summer World Championships behind their backs?

— Yes, the atmosphere was special because of that. There aren't many opportunities to experience it right now. As a matter of fact, something similar has happened in recent years at the BRICS Games in Kazan. It's cool that in Moscow, at the Russian Winter, we saw competitions between Russians and Belarusians and foreigners in certain disciplines.

— Does this provide an opportunity to somehow adapt to the return to major international competitions, when will it take place?

— The situations are a little different, because both at the Russian Winter this year and at the BRICS Games we performed in our native country in front of our fans. After returning to the international arena, there will be many performances abroad. My last such trip to the competition was in the fall of 2021. So you'll have to get used to it all over again. But it's good that we have the opportunity to compete at least in individual competitions with those who have a regular practice of major world competitions.

— Is it particularly motivating?

— Mixed feelings. Sort of, yes. But at the same time, they really got so used to it that they need to get used to it again.

— What is the difficulty?

— I speak for myself personally, but still the competition is a little different. More and more people will start coming to us. And we will be showing something else for a while.

"I'm not looking at those who are running with me, but at myself"

— Do you believe that the disbandment of Russian athletes is possible in the foreseeable future?

— We have been believing and believing for many years (smiles). Of course we do. What else?

— I'm just wondering how much this belief has strengthened since the end of 2024, when our athletes began to actively participate in international competitions, and some of them, as judoists, even under their own flag?

— I don't know. I just have feelings and feelings, and I don't want to jinx that, God willing, improvements will come and we will have international starts.

"It's hard to train and live without faith"

Pole vaulter Polina Knoroz — about the chances of international disbandment of Russian athletes and motivation to perform in conditions of suspension

— In four bans, did the domestic Russian competitions at least partially solve the problem of preventing our athletes from sinking in the level?

— No, not really. All our starts are about the same for me. In most cases, I focus on myself, on my inner emotional state. For almost four years, I've gotten used to looking not at those who run with me, but at myself. I compete mainly with myself. My motivation is to run every next start with a better time than the previous one. That's why I said that the main thing for me is to set personal records this year in winter and summer.