"Hopefully the IBU will catch the good virus of admitting our athletes"
After the New Year holidays the Russian biathlon season resumes - the fourth stage of the Russian Cup starts in Ryazan on January 10. Last week the show "Race of Champions" with the participation of Russian biathlon and cross-country skiing stars took place there. The event was highly attended.
In his interview to Izvestia, Viktor Maigurov, the President of the Russian Biathlon Union (SBR), shared his impressions of the race, assessed the level of performance of athletes this season at the stages of the Russian Cup and the Commonwealth Cup, as well as commented on his December re-election to the Executive Committee of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC), described the format of communication with the International Biathlon Union (IBU) and expressed hope for a speedy return of his wards to international starts.
- The year 2025 starts for Russian biathlon in Ryazan - the fourth stage of the Russian Cup is ahead, the Race of Champions has already taken place. What are your impressions from it?
- Excellent organization of the Race of Champions, great atmosphere. I am glad that it was attended by a lot of spectators - 6 thousand on the first day at the qualification, 7 thousand on the second day at the mixed relay.
- How long has it been like this at the domestic competitions?
- To be honest, I can't remember the last time it happened. Although two years ago in Ryazan there was also the largest number of spectators when we held the Commonwealth Cup stage there. In some other places where we hold competitions, spectators also gather. But the organizers of the "Race of Champions" managed to do well not only the biathlon program, but also the events around it in the form of various contests and other entertainment. Well, the presence of the best biathletes and skiers of our country and Belarus also speaks a lot.
-Is there a possibility to organize official competitions under the aegis of SBR, so that there would be similar attendance at the stages of the Cup of Russia and the Commonwealth Cup?
- We will think about it. It is clear that the format of the Race of Champions itself cannot be transferred to official competitions. As for the rest of the organizational moments, if we do it all the time, it will get boring (smiles). And the Race of Champions is great because it is something unique. We will work to hold something like this a couple of times a season. The next event of this kind is planned for March 2 in Luzhniki. It is already a purely biathlon story, without skiers. But we hope that it will also gather a lot of spectators in Moscow.
-What do you think about the level of performance of biathletes this season?
- I am very glad that there is a new generation growing. There is a young generation, which already now does not let the leaders relax. The weather does not always please us. On the one hand, we got past the frosts that gripped us in November and December. On the other hand, there are certain problems with snow in Central Russia. But we are getting out of the situation.
- Many of our biathletes note the density of the intra-Russian calendar this season, there are more competitions than at the World Cup. Would you like to continue this practice in the future?
- We try to adapt to the situation. And it can change. Next season is the Olympic season. We hope that we will be invited to participate in the Olympics in Cortina D'Ampezzo. We want that. If we are invited, of course, we will adjust the calendar of competitions inside Russia. We don't duplicate everything every time, we don't act in a formulaic way.
-But if we take Olympic competitions aside, do you like the density of the calendar as it is now?
- Absolutely. It's still impossible to say that we overload the athletes. Maybe two or three races more than IBU in the World Cup. But no more than that. There are enough opportunities for athletes to prove themselves, a lot of starts for spectators in different regions.
-It can give an opportunity to earn something if you achieve attendance at your competitions, like in Ryazan for the Race of Champions?
- Our competitions are probably not about business. Business is mainly about tourism, which depends on the number of spectators at such events. But these or other competitions of this level entail at least the development of infrastructure that remains in the region and is used by its residents and guests 360 days a year. And we're only five (laughs). So it all stays for kids and adults who love sports.
-Regarding the chances of being invited to the Olympics, the story with the December admission of Russian swimmers, figure skaters and speed skaters to international competitions inspires faith that our biathlon will soon be debanned as well?
- It inspires a certain optimism. But every federation is different from each other. We try not to lose touch and dialog with our colleagues at the international level. This is the aspiration of the new Minister of Sports of the Russian Federation and the President of the ROC Mikhail Vladimirovich Degtyarev. One of his main tasks is to return to the international calendar.
- In December you were re-elected to the new ROC Executive Committee for four years. What tasks will you solve in the new cycle?
- There can't be personal tasks - there are several general directions, which are now combined by the Minister of Sport and the President of the ROC. I think it is good that such broad powers are concentrated in the hands of one person. We will work together and help him to achieve all the goals of sports development. I repeat, one of the main goals for today is to return Russian athletes to the international calendar and the development of children's, youth and mass sports, which we are also engaged in.
- Elena Vyalbe and the heads of other federations in skiing and snowboarding were not included in the new executive committee of the ROC. Do you feel that now you will have to defend their interests?
- Maybe. Although we have a group of heads of winter Olympic disciplines friendly enough. So it won't be difficult to convey our thoughts and ideas to the general management.
-How often do you have contact with the IBUleadership ?
- Just correspondence. So far only like that.
-When do you expect them to switch to personal contacts, responding to your letters, or to make an offer to meet?
- It is unlikely that they will do so themselves. But there is a general trend that Russian athletes are gradually returning to competitions. Just look at the stories you mentioned with water sports, figure skaters and speed skaters. The swimmers have already gone to the World Championships and performed well. And there were no problems. We constantly update this topic in correspondence with IBU. One way or another, they also answer us something. I hope they will catch this good virus that is going on with regard to other Russian sports federations.
- Do you often watch the stages of the World Cup? Do you understand how difficult it will be for Russian biathletes to match its level if they return there next season?
- I watch regularly, even if not live. I think that three or four of our people - both guys and girls - can easily fight for the top ten there. We are aiming for this, so we are not slowing down our training speed.
