“IBU is not indifferent to what is going on with us”: Maigurov on the reputation of the SBR, the formation of the national team, and on the attitude towards Guberniev

In Moscow, a press conference was held by the new president of the Russian Biathlon Union (RBU), Viktor Maigurov. Among his main tasks at the post, he named the preparation of the team for the Olympic Games in 2022 in Beijing, the stabilization of the financial situation of the organization, as well as the development of sports in the regions. For the implementation of the last paragraph will be responsible for the former head coach of the national team Vladimir Barnashov.

After the departure of the previous leadership in the RRF, a number of unresolved tasks remained, one of which was a conflict with the former executive director of the organization, Sergei Golikov, who accused former president Vladimir Drachev of financial fraud. To break off business with him, the organization needed to pay the contract debt.

“We paid the full amount due to him under the employment contract. Sent a document for termination. I do not see any legal conflicts. I think that in the future Sergey Valentinovich will help the RBU, ”suggested Maigurov.

The newly-made head of the Union spoke in detail about the tasks facing the team and its mentors. So, the work of the head coach, for the position of which Valery Polkhovsky was recommended, will be to coordinate all the teams.

“We understand that without this there will be no result. The head coach will fully understand the logistics, training plans. Together with the analytical and expert advice that we will create, he will give advice on the work of the team, ”the functionary explained.

In his opinion, the composition of the national team should be formed on the basis of the results of the athletes at the stages of the World Cup and IBU Cup, and not indicators at the test starts. Maigurov believes that participants in the centralized training camp should be included first, after which a certain rotation is expected, based on the results.

“After three stages, athletes who have met certain criteria continue to work in the team, if they have not completed, then others will change them. But, again, all these issues will be discussed at the coaching council, ”the president of the RRF explained.

“I think we will not return Olga Podchufarov. As for Tatyana Akimova, she trains in Izhevsk with her husband. We plan to petition the CSP for its inclusion in the extended list. Perhaps, at the next training camp, she will already be preparing together with the team. For Dmitry Malyshko I have no relevant information. The road to the national team is not closed to anyone. If all the criteria are met, he can get into it, ”said Maigurov.

The head of the RRF admitted that he did not think about who is the favorite in the fight for victory in the overall standings of the World Cup. He cited the example of Norwegian biathlete Jon Oge Tullum, who won the "Big Crystal Globe" in 1995, and at the same time he never got into the top three at the KM stages.

“It’s clear that there are the main favorites,” Johannes Bö at the Norwegians, young French guys. Of course, we do not write off Alexander Loginov. In the women's biathlon, everything is less predictable, there are young ambitious athletes. I can’t say for sure that one of our biathletes is ready to fight for victory in the overall standings, but they will spoil the nerves of the rivals. I look forward to the current composition of the Russian national team, ”said Maigurov.

Recently, many former athletes, specialists and experts have complained about the constant scandals in the RBU, which become public and form a misconception about the Russian biathlon. The head of the organization intends to change this trend.

“Another task that I set for myself is the provision of education regarding the communication of athletes and coaches with the press. We are fully capable of resolving all issues within the organization, rather than moving out of the team and the federation, ”he explained.

Critics of Drachev accused him of inability to establish contact with the International Biathlon Union (IBU), which prevents the restoration of the full status of the RRF. According to Maigurov, in the near future a meeting of the working group on this issue should be held. He added that much in this situation will depend on the position of the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA).

“In accordance with the IBU regulations, the national anti-doping agency must be a full member of WADA. This issue will be resolved in November, although I am not sure that everything will be limited to one meeting. RUSADA may receive some kind of status that will impede our recovery. As for financial obligations, the size of the payments does not depend on us, but on the costs of investigating the cases of our athletes. Of course, it would be nice to fix the final amount. I hope the situation becomes clear this year, ”the functionary said.

Maigurov added that IBU management congratulated him on his appointment to the new post and is closely monitoring the situation in the RRF.

“All of them are optimistic about the continuation of our work, because we have known each other for more than one year, are familiar with the biathlon issues. They are not indifferent to what is happening in the RRF, ”he stressed.

The press conference was not without fun moments. The famous commentator Dmitry Guberniev, through the presenter, asked whether the new president of the RRF considers him “handsome”.

 “I am very respectful to him. If Dmitry considers himself handsome, then so it is, ”said Maigurov.