"Great man, people like that are not born so often": what do they say about Bolshunov after the end of the season

The 2020/21 season was the most successful in the career of Russian Alexander Bolshunov.

He not only won the long-awaited gold of the World Championship, adding three more medals to it, and for the second year in a row excelled in the general classification of the Tour de Ski, but also more than confidently defended the title of the best skier in the world in the overall classification of the World Cup.

Summing up the season, the president of the Russian Cross-Country Skiing Federation (FLGR) Elena Vyalbe did not skimp on compliments to the leader of the national team.

In her opinion, there is nothing wrong with the fact that the rest of the athletes are lucky that they have the opportunity to train on a par with Bolshunov.

“I don’t think Teresa Johaug or the entire Norwegian team and coaches are so worried, because she is the world leader, and the rest are far from ahead of the rest.

If Pushkin was born in every village, then, probably, he would not have been such a great poet.

I think that Bolshunov is a great person, such people are not born so often, "- quoted by Vyalbe TASS.

According to her, a native of the Bryansk region is distinguished from colleagues not only by physical data, but also by professional qualities.

“Alexander made a huge, colossal step forward.

And, of course, knowing his attitude ... He goes to any race with only one thought - the thought of winning.

This is an absolutely correct athlete.

If it is differently, then there is no need to go out and compete.

Sasha is extremely concentrated.

In terms of discipline, he simply ... If every athlete was at least 80% like Sasha, then we would have even more medals, ”Vyalbe said on the air of“ Russia 24 ”.

But not everyone shares the position of the FLGR president.

Despite his successes, the skiathlon world champion has been criticized for his emotionality and sometimes ambiguous behavior.

So, the three-time Olympic champion Anfisa Reztsova suggested that in the future, star fever would prevent an athlete from fighting for the highest awards - including the Olympic gold that was not in his collection.

“In practice, every junior can fight with Alexander.

We have good guys.

You cannot popularize one.

We need to raise a new generation.

It seems that there is only Bolshunov and that's it.

And what about Bolshunov?

Fingers like a king.

The king, of course, but only for today.

I'm sure he was promoted, ”Reztsova said in an interview with TeleSport.

The coach of the Russian national team and Alexander's personal mentor, Yuri Borodavko, took the side of the ward.

“I have not paid attention to the statements of Anfisa Reztsova for a long time.

This girl is like that, she can not answer for her words.

Let him say what he wants.

It all depends on the journalists and the questions they ask.

If it really concerns sports, its performances - no problem.

If they are interested in “dirty laundry”, they are looking for the negative - that’s another matter, ”explained Borodavko to“ Sport Day by Day ”.

It is worth noting that recently, not only experts, but also some colleagues in the national team are dissatisfied with Bolshunov.

The 2013 Universiade champion Yermil Vokuev said that it is not skiing in general that is popularized in Russia, but Alexander.

In response, the latter noted that he calmly accepts criticism and can even benefit from it.

“Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, isn't it?

But I'm not going to prove anything to anyone.

I show my strength on the track.

For me, the basis is the result and nothing else.

And the one who cannot do something on the track tries to stand out differently, ”Bolshunov quotes“ Championship ”.

As for the increased attention from journalists, he assured that he is trying to abstract from this.

According to the athlete, this is due to the fact that the media often distort the meaning of his public statements.

“Then you understand that you will no longer communicate with such a person.

And there are many such cases on the part of both Russian and foreign journalists.

This was especially evident at the Olympic Games in Pyeongchang, when you say one thing, and people learn something completely different, ”Bolshunov concluded.

After the end of the Russian Championship, which became the last major tournament of the season, it became known that Andrei Sobakarev would leave the Borodavko group on the initiative of the coach.

He stated that the pace of work and workload of the leader of the national team does not always suit his partners.

At the same time, the skier assured that no more attention is paid to Bolshunov than to the others, although he agreed with the opinion that due to the success of the world champion, other skiers suffer.

In turn, the mentor of the multiple winner of the World Cup stages explained why such a decision was made for Sobakarev.

“Andrei will not work in my group next season.

His departure is due to the fact that more attention will go to leaders (including Bolshunov).

In this regard, the composition is reduced.

Andriy this season was unable to show decent results on the eve of preparation for the Olympic Games ", - quotes Borodavko RIA Novosti.