On January 16, one of the most productive athletes in Kazakhstan, Elina Mikhina, signed an agreement with the professional athletics club Altay Athletics.
Elina has been involved in athletics since she was eight years old. Almost like all athletes, she was noticed by a physical education teacher when she was still a child. Then only ten children were selected in the lesson, but later only Mikhina remained. At first, the athlete studied at the Ridder with Anatoly Georgievich Podkorytov until the 11th grade, and after graduating from school she moved to Almaty and moved to another coach Lyubov Ivanovna Nikitineko.
Multiple champion of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Asian champion and medalist, participant of the Asian and Olympic Games, winner of the Asian Indoor Games – all these are the achievements of the newly minted member of the first Kazakhstan professional athletics club.
– Elina, do you think that with the advent of the Altay Athletics club, has anything changed in the world of athletics in Kazakhstan?
– I don’t know about global changes yet (smiles). I hope that they will be noticeable. This is a new level, and there will definitely be a sporting growth. There will be a lot of investments on our part and on the part of the management. We will train, go to the starts with famous athletes, train with their coaches. I think it will be a big plus, because we will see the world from a different angle.
– Just the other day you signed a contract with the club. For how long? Have there been any specific responsibilities?
– We signed the contract for six months – until July 1, 2018. My task is to improve results, that is, I have to work hard. If there is no progress, at the end of the term, the contract is terminated.
– The club is only a little over two months old, and you became the first of those who received an offer of cooperation. How did you find out that your candidacy was being considered and were you ready?
– I learned about the club from Denis Rypakov, later the head of Altay Athletics, Askhat Rashidovich Seisembekov, called me and asked me to send a resume with my achievements. I sent it, after which he said that in January I would be officially enrolled in the club. I think that the mood is not particularly important here (smiles), because you can’t refuse such offers!
– Who would you like to see in the club with you? Who do you think is worthy to be a representative of the AltayAthletics Club today?
– To be honest, I find it difficult to answer this question. All these issues are decided by the management.
Another important and long-awaited event of this winter has already happened. We wish Elina Mikhina success, high achievements and strength!
Inna Semenyak
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