"I believe in a speedy return to international starts."

One of the main events in Russian sport during the New Year holidays was the ski and biathlon "Race of Champions" in Ryazan. On January 4, qualification took place in four disciplines (men's and women's skiing and biathlon), and on January 5 - on the final, second day - a mixed relay race awaits us.

During these two days fans can see a lot of star athletes even in the absence of Alexander Bolshunov: the three-time Olympic champion refused to participate at the last moment for health reasons. Among the status persons Christina Rezzova, a two-time medalist of the last Olympics 2022 in Beijing, came to Ryazan. In an interview with Izvestia, she shared her opinion on her performance this season, the chances of sanctions being lifted from Russian biathletes in 2025 and explained why she doesn't think it's right to have too many starts in the current seasons of the Russian Cup and Commonwealth Cup.

"When we will be admitted there, the results will be somewhat higher"

- What were your impressions of your performance in qualifying on the first day of the Race of Champions?

- Huh, the main thing - I had fun. And so... I think I didn't manage to shoot well. In principle, I was on the track the day before the qualification, shot, looked at the line. The other girls only saw what and how it was like here on the day of qualification. That is why I am a little bit dissatisfied with my shooting. But on the whole my mood is good. The main race is ahead - my favorite relay. So we will fight.

- Does this unsuccessful shooting mean that you are not in optimal condition? Or is it not worth judging the Race of Champions, which is more of a show than a competition?

- In my case it's probably still a passing thing. Because I was ill before the last start of last year, which was in Tchaikovsky (the third stage of the Commonwealth Cup. - Ed.). You could say that I didn't recover at home and went to these competitions. Plus the New Year holidays, during which I spent more time with my children. Now we will continue to accelerate and get in shape.

- You haven't reached your best form yet?

- Not even close to my best form yet. Especially functionally. My shooting has improved more or less, but even then, one start is good, the other not so good. I hope that the end of the season will be better than the beginning.

- Almost immediately after the 2022 Beijing Olympics you went on maternity leave and missed the first season, when Russian biathlon was suspended from international competitions. When you returned in 2023, did you quickly feel the new reality of competing only against Russians and Belarusians?

- Yes, in fact, when I came from the Olympics and went on maternity leave, I missed the very moment when we stopped traveling to the World Cup stages. But, paradoxically, when I came back after the birth of my second child, it was good for me, on the contrary, that I could start at a slightly lower level and not be upset that, for example, I couldn't qualify for the World Cup. That is, I was on equal terms with the others. But, of course, I would like to return to international starts. We are preparing for them. At least, I am preparing. And then we will see.

- In your opinion, the absence of international starts affects your level and that of other Russian biathletes?

- I can't say anything for other guys and girls. As for me, of course, international and Russian starts are slightly different things. But I hope that when we are allowed there, the results will be a bit higher.

"We have a much tighter schedule in Russia this season than at the World Cup"

- In December, more and more Russian athletes began to be allowed to compete in international competitions in neutral status. This, in particular, affected swimmers, synchronized swimmers, figure skaters and speed skaters. Do you believe that in 2025 something similar will happen to our biathletes?

- I try not to predict anything, but I believe in it.

- After the ban will it be hard for our biathletes to fight for medals in the first races?

- I think it will not be a problem - from start to start to get back to the competitive speed of the World Cup.

- In the last three years, have you communicated with any foreign colleagues on the subject of sanctions and their attitude to the suspension of Russians and Belarusians?

- No. Frankly speaking, I haven't communicated with anyone. And there's no time to do it when you have two children. Moreover, we work almost without weekends and vacations. So there was no time for such communication.

- Is the current schedule of competitions in Russia very hard?

- We have a much tighter schedule in Russia this season than at the World Cup. At least there are weekends between races. But in Russia we don't - we compete every week on Friday, Saturday and Sunday without days off. It's a bit easier there in this respect.

- Do you like it?

- That there are a lot of competitions in Russia?

- Yes.

- It's really very hard. Still, I guess we have to skip or remove something somewhere. I think that the organizers will understand this next season. Because already in the beginning, in the first months of the season athletes missed races, which is not good. If we want to see the fight between the strongest in the overall standings of the Cup of Russia or the SBR (Russian Biathlon Union. - Ed.) rating, everyone should run all the races. But because of the busy schedule, this is impossible, otherwise everyone will start to cheer.