The Bulgarian Biathlon Federation has announced the invitation to its team of two well-known specialists from Russia. The next year, the national team of this country will be headed by Alexander Kasperovich, personal mentor of world champion Alexander Loginov, and the former head coach of the Russian women's team Vitaly Noritsyn will become his assistant. They will work in the combined team of men and women.

The head of the organization, Olympic champion Ekaterina Dafovska previously announced the arrival of two coaches from Russia, but did not name them. On Thursday, the Federation’s press service announced that a preliminary agreement was reached with Kasperovich and Noritsyn. They still cannot sign contracts due to the entry ban for citizens from non-EU countries, which is acting due to the coronavirus pandemic. Their coaching staff will also include a local specialist. Former coach of the Bulgarian men's team Nikolay Zakharov will continue to work with the youth team.

Kasperovich confirmed his intention to coach the national team, which took 15th place in the men's national Cup last season and 22nd in the women's. He assured that the new appointment would not affect his cooperation with Loginov.

“I confirm that I became the coach of the Bulgarian national team. Conditions suit me, negotiations have been ongoing for a long time, a decision was made this week. Until the Olympics, I will work. This will not affect the work with Loginov, perhaps we will even conduct joint training, in Bulgaria there are excellent bases. Sasha will be in the black. In addition, I remain in the St. Petersburg team, ”said the trainer to Sport-Express.

He also noted that he would not try to attract one of the Russian athletes who did not qualify for the national team to the Bulgarian team.

“I do not look after any of the Russians, I have never done this, in any case. There can even be no talk of this. Only, maybe, we will attract as sparring partners, because I also continue to work with the St. Petersburg Federation, ”Kasperovich added in a conversation with TASS.

The president of the Russian Biathlon Union, Vladimir Drachev, is also sure that Kasperovich’s work in Bulgaria will not affect the preparation of the leader of the Russian national team Loginov.

“Recently Kasperovich did not work in the SBR. He worked in Petersburg. We did not contact him. The trainer works in the region and makes decisions independently. Unlike athletes who are always with us. I doubt that this will affect Loginov’s results. But did he work so hard with Alexander? Stop it! I believe that Kasperovich’s possible departure is not scary, ”the head of the federation told Sports day after day.

Kasperovich’s new appointment may also be a plus for Loginov because now his coach will have the legal opportunity to accompany his star student at international starts, as he will be accredited by the Bulgarian Biathlon Federation. At the last World Championship, Kasperovich helped Loginov without permission issued by the RBU, and this led to a scandal, as well as an occasion to accuse the tandem of the coach and biathlete of violating anti-doping rules.

Noritsyn, who was dismissed from the Russian team immediately after the championship of the planet, noted that he would not try to prove something to his former employers from the SBR. He also said that he has no idea how his work will be built in a new place.

“There is definitely no feeling of revenge. I will be happy to help the Bulgarian team, bring something of their own. We hope our cooperation will be fruitful. At the moment, only the moments of the organizational plan are being decided. While there is no specifics how our work will be built. It’s hard to work remotely now. When we can start, maybe I will comment more fully, ”said the coach to R-Sport.

Kasperovich and Noritsyn will host the team, which so far cannot boast of high results. Only Vladimir Iliev and Krasimir Anev stand out in the men's team. Despite the fact that both have already been over 30 years old, they have been showing their best results lately, and Iliev even became the silver medalist of the individual world championship in 2019. Last season, both athletes settled down in the fourth ten of the overall World Cup standings.