“I was 99% ready for self-isolation”: Kuznetsov on the start of training, progress in diving and the advantage of the Chinese

- On June 7, the Russian national diving team gathered at Lake Round, but you didn’t come. Why?

- There was a call, but then I talked to the head coach. They said that those who are not from Moscow or the Moscow Region will have to remain in quarantine for another two weeks, they will not be allowed to go anywhere. True, I do not quite understand this rule, because the sick are just concentrated in the capital and around it, judging by statistics.

- You yourself wanted to come or is it more convenient to get in shape at home, in Stavropol?

- I'm just used to business trips, training camps and competitions. Training at home is a little hard.

- Your synchronized jumping partner Nikita Schleicher is now in Kazan. There is information when you can practice together?

- Most likely, it will be the beginning of July. We will be called to the Krugloye Lake, where we will already work together.

- Did you discuss the future program with him? Or is it too early to talk about it?

- There is nothing to discuss in fact. There is a certain program that we are working on. It is only necessary to resume the training process and acquire suitable conditions so that the coaching staff can help in full.

- What are the conditions in Stavropol now? Already engaged in the pool?

- At the moment, the pool is in the sanitary month. It changed the water, did some kind of repair. You can’t train there now, of course. So far, at home or in the garden, I can only allow swapping, stretching. When the pool is ready for use is unknown.

- The last time you practiced in water?

- It was March 20th.

- During the restrictions related to the coronavirus, fans were surprised that high-diver Artyom Silchenko worked as a loader. How did you spend your time?

- I didn’t have to do something like that. At home, preparing for the season. At first they said to wait a week, then another week, self-isolation was prolonged and extended. The form is now lost, although before that it was ready for 99%.

- Do you mean the World Cup, which was supposed to be held in April?

- Both him and the Olympic Games. All training was directed at them.

- How much time do you need to return to the same form?

- Personally, a couple of weeks is enough for me. The team needs a couple of months.

- Do you know how things are with divers in other countries?

- Of course, there is no surveillance. But I know that our comrades from China are training in normal mode, now the Italians and Germans have left. Everyone is already preparing for the competition, but everything is unfortunately closed for us.

- Aren't you afraid that Chinese athletes will now go even further from the rest of the world?

“Why be afraid?” There is no choice. We will work, show the maximum result that is possible. There is no fear, but objectively I understand that they have a little more time.

- How did the transfer of the Olympics affect you?

- I’m already an age-old athlete, I’m 30 years old. And diving is a fairly young sport. This was bad news for me. But no one falls in spirit. Let's hope that in 2021 the Games will take place.

- Dmitry Sautin spoke at the Olympics and won medals at 34 years old. Maybe he could share some advice?

- Sautin is a great man. Most likely, it will not work to compare with him. In addition, the complexity of the program increases every year, it becomes physically difficult to cope with it.

- Can a coronavirus pandemic put a step back in water, slow down this progress?

- Progress will slow down all over the world, not only in sports - in the economy, for example. This pandemic will affect all sectors, including sports. Our vacation lasts a week or two. And spend three months at home ... Of course, everything comes around later.

- The World Cup should be held next year, which will become the qualifying tournament for the Olympics. But it should not take place in April, but in February, replacing the first stages of the World Series. How will this affect the struggle for the latest Olympic quotas?

- Of course, these will be important competitions. We have not won all the licenses. We will prepare specifically for the World Cup, because the World Series will either be postponed or canceled. It will be difficult, because competitive stress is required before such important starts. Maybe we’ll carry out some estimates at our base among Russian athletes.

- The World Cup will be held in Tokyo at the Olympic arena. Is it important for you to be on it in advance, to somehow feel the conditions?

- Pools are still different, even if they are equally built. There is a need to visit the sports complex in advance, where there will then be competitions in order to feel some specific things. During jumps, we focus not only on our feelings, but also on the audience, on the ceilings. Therefore, no doubt, this pool must be reached.

- By the time of the Olympics in 2021, the disqualification of Ilya Zakharov will end. He himself said that he did not plan to return. Have you discussed this topic with him?

- I talked with him, he has such thoughts creep in. But it is very hard. I've spent three months on self-isolation and lost my form, and a person missed a year. It’s even more difficult for him to return. Everything will depend on motivation and physical strength. I can’t decide for Zakharov, he will think for himself.

- If he still dares to resume his career, is it worth waiting for your reunion? After all, in a pair you won the World Cup and took the silver of the Olympics.

- I am a hostage of circumstances and I can not decide about the change of partners. I would like us to calmly jump with Schleicher, we have a good duet. I can’t say anything bad about him, we are more or less suitable for each other. I will try to stay on the sidelines, so let the head coach decide.

- At the Olympics, the diving program is not as extensive as at the world championships. Would you like more medals to be played?

- This is not discussed, the more species, the better. This will make diving more popular. We have a very interesting and exciting sport. This is jumping, flying, water, the elements ... I think it would be interesting.

- How do you feel about high diving?

- Positive. The guys are very risky, they have incredible heights, and you can kill yourself. But this is very beautiful!