– The Asian Games in Incheon have become the most successful for Kazakhstan in terms of winning gold medals in its history. What are your personal impressions of the Games?
– The competitions themselves and the organization were held at the highest professional level. In four years, the level of athletics in Asia has grown significantly. Asian immigrants are “catching up”, and in some cases improving world records. The results are in the top three or top ten of the season in the world. So there is no longer such a thing that you can win at the Asian Games without really straining. This is already a world-class competition. In Asia, sport is gradually gaining significant proportions. I would like to congratulate Olga Safronova, Margarita Mukasheva and other guys. These are labor victories that were won very beautifully in a worthy competition. But we still need to work very hard so that we have a lot of high-level athletes in Kazakhstan in general and East Kazakhstan Region in particular. Thank God, our athletics school is good.
– I would like to focus on Olga Rypakova’s performance separately. How ready is she to compete with the new stars of the triple jump and what does her result in 14.32 m tell us?
– As for Olga Rypakova, the result that we showed was designed only to bring the country “gold”. Our Olympic champion has already recovered, this victory has now also added confidence that she can do anything. There is potential, it has not gone away. Now our main goal is the Olympics. And, of course, the World Cup, which will be held in August 2015 in Beijing. We now have somewhere to prepare – the arena has been built, so conditions are now available at Home. We will travel less for training camps, we will be in Ust-Kamenogorsk all winter. Olga will definitely perform at the home winter Championship of Kazakhstan, which will be held in mid-February.
– How much has the level of competition in the triple jump changed compared to Guangzhou?
– I stayed at about the same level. Olga has now become a three-time champion of the Asian Games. In general, it is difficult to make a breakthrough in the triple jump in Asia. Apparently, there are not enough coaches there who would teach you how to jump correctly.
– That’s why, before the Olympic Games in London, China tried to poach Olga Rypakova’s coach and father Sergei Alekseev…
– Yes, then only patriotism helped. It was unthinkable for the coach to go there, raise a Chinese woman so that she would come and win against our girls!
– There were only four people representing East Kazakhstan Region in Incheon. Is it not enough? After all, our region is used to positioning itself as one of the leaders of athletics in Kazakhstan. What is the problem now?
– Athletes have a lot of near-sports problems. Work, study, family. And it turns out that sometimes they occur when an athlete needs to show a serious result. And it gets in the way. Do not forget about the overall growth in the level of results in Asia. Let’s say that earlier, with a score of 2.22 m, it was possible to take a prize in the high jump at the Asian Games. Now you can’t even get into the top ten with such a jump.
– What can be done about the distractions of athletes now?
– Provide support. Psychological, financial. If an athlete has the potential to win a medal, it is necessary to provide him with financial assistance, pay attention, discuss plans with the coach. To keep abreast of the development of athletics in our area. It is very difficult to keep a child in sports now. And we have a lot of talented children. But there are many other entertainments, temptations, and our task is to direct the guys in the right direction.
– There were rumors in Ust-Kamenogorsk that it was simply impossible to get into new sports facilities. To the athletics arena too. How much is athletics available now?
– Absolutely anyone who wants to study can come to us. We accept from the age of 10, but if a boy or girl is physically developed at a younger age, then we can take them to the section from the age of eight. Previously, it was impractical to engage in athletics and even dangerous for children’s health. You only need three documents: a school certificate, parental permission and a health certificate. The new arrivals will even have the opportunity to choose a coach. These misconceptions are absolutely made up and often arise from the fact that people believe those who themselves know little.
– You attended the meeting with the head of the IOC, Thomas Bach. How did the event go, and what are the results?
– The issue of holding the 2022 Olympic Games in Almaty was on the agenda. As you know, there are only two candidates left: Almaty and Beijing. And before Bach’s visit to the Southern Capital, the capital of China was the favorite. But when he arrived in Almaty, the head of the IOC was surprised by how compactly the sports facilities are located in the city. Many of them are located within the city limits, so there will be no question of transport links. I would really like Almaty to become the capital of the Olympic Games, especially since we already have the experience of holding major competitions.
– Recently, the idea was put forward again, as in 2011, to divide the Games between Almaty and Astana. Are you for or against separation?
– On the one hand, the separation will add interest, athletes and TV viewers will be able to get acquainted with two Kazakh cities at once, but this will cause a lot of pressure on the transport system. Thousands of fans will want to make it to the competitions in Almaty and the competitions in Astana, and we may not be able to cope with this. Personally, I think that the Games should only be held in one city.
– On the Internet, people speak negatively about the possibility of holding the Olympics in Almaty due to concerns about tax increases and other financial troubles.
– It’s always been that way. With each new event comes a lot of new joy and a lot of new fears. We are currently preparing to host EXPO-2017, but taxes are not going up. The decision to hold the Olympic Games does not come to mind spontaneously. Calculations are underway. Moreover, there will be no particularly large-scale construction in Almaty. The costs will be minimal, so there is even an opportunity to make a profit from the Games.
