Recently, Russian stars have been increasingly taking part in shows where they try and discover something new for themselves.
During the week, figure skater Alexandra Trusova was long jumping, and gymnast Nikita Nagorny was running sprints.
On Saturday wrestler Alexander Karelin and speed skater Svetlana Zhurova took part in the basketball match.
However, this meeting stood apart, as it was a charity game, the main task of which was to raise funds for children with cerebral palsy.
The event has been held by Gosha Kutsenko's Step Together Foundation for 10 years.
This time, all assistance is planned to be sent to children with cerebral palsy from Donbass.
As the actor said, during its existence, the organization managed to raise more than 130 million rubles and help more than 4.5 thousand children.
“We also held two football matches.
Why stop at basketball?
It so happened.
Ten years ago, an idea was suddenly born.
I am a wrestler and handball player.
I'm terrible at basketball.
But together with Andrei Peregudov and Olga Pankova, we teamed up and played the first match.
It turned out to be so pleasant that we decided to continue.
Plus, it turned out to be a real unification of forces.
We were helped by the government, and business, and sports stars, and my colleagues, ”Kutsenko explained to reporters.
Particular attention of the audience was attracted, of course, by Alexander Karelin, who was several times larger than the rest of the participants in the match and, without straining, could push everyone under the basket.
“This is an impenetrable wall.
His mere presence on the court inspires hope for victory.
When you receive a pass from Karelin, the main thing is not only to catch the ball, but also not to miss a blow to the head area, ”Kutsenko joked.
The three-time Olympic champion in Greco-Roman wrestling, however, was in no hurry to take an active part in the game.
He hoped to simply support his team, remaining on the bench, although he admitted that he himself threw the ball into the ring in training.
“Basketball is one of the types of training for wrestlers.
Not only because it starts with the same letter.
We play on fasting days, but there is no dribbling, runs are not considered, and the possibilities of contact are interpreted more widely.
Therefore, I have an idea about basketball, but I have not learned to follow the rules.
I will not push.
I have a stable role - spare.
I can, if necessary, a couple of times because of the side to enter the ball, ”said Karelin.
However, the famous athlete failed to sit on the bench.
From the first minutes, the coaches released him onto the court and used him as a striking force.
Alexander tried to be as careful as possible so as not to accidentally drop anyone, and even sent a couple of balls into the basket.
Of course, well-known basketball players also took part in the event.
In particular, the champion of the United League in the "Zenith", the bronze medalist of the Olympic Games Sergei Monya.
As the athlete admitted, in this match they, together with teammate Egor Vyaltsev, tried to let all partners play.
“The most important thing is the holiday.
We've had our fill of basketball after an eventful season.
And they came here to bring children a good mood and joy.
We tried to pass to everyone so that everyone could play, have fun.
But sometimes I had to turn on to bring points.
However, they mostly tried to give the ball to others, ”the athlete explained.
Especially a lot of passes were addressed to Svetlana Zhurova, but the Olympic champion in speed skating could not realize her chances.
Added fuel to the fire, commenting on the match, Vladimir Solovyov.
He constantly made fun of the judges, who turned a blind eye to the obvious mistakes of inexperienced athletes.
So the fans in the stands were not bored to follow what was happening.
Guys from Donbass from the families of the dead participants of the special military operation came to the Basket Hall to talk with sports legends.
In addition to basketball, they are waiting for museums and excursions around Moscow and, most importantly, the opportunity to plunge into a peaceful way of life.
As Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Alexander Novak noted, all participants in the match dream that these children grow and develop calmly.
“We are here to express words of support through the game of basketball.
In fact, this is a great sports festival of kindness dedicated to children.
For their sake, politicians, artists, businessmen have gathered… We will all take part as much as possible in order to hold joint competitions, interactions and exchange of experience with the DPR and LPR,” the Deputy Prime Minister told reporters.
Svetlana Zhurova also drew attention to the importance of developing sports in the republics.
“They need to rebuild the structure and start with football.
Remember the blockade match, the 80th anniversary of which we celebrated this year.
It lifts the spirit,” said Zhurova.
The meeting eventually ended in a draw 56:56.
In the last seconds, Novak shot two free throws and could bring his team forward, but he missed twice on purpose, since the victory in this case did not matter.
After the game, Zenit defender Yegor Vyaltsev thanked the organizers for the invitation.
He noted that such events help to unite for the sake of a noble cause.
“Kowtow to Gosha Kutsenko.
On the basketball court, we unite and show a show that helps children.
It's good that everything doesn't go by itself.
This is very important in this situation.
Such events give strength, confidence, help to unite under our flag.
Very cool,” added the athlete.
Olympic bronze medalist, basketball player Svetlana Abrosimova, who has been taking part in the event since the very first match, also noted Kutsenko's key role in organizing the meeting.
“From the first minute it was a very kind and necessary project for children.
And everyone who participates in it are people with a huge heart and soul.
Sports and basketball really unite.
Whatever match I came to, it was always a show, there was always Gosha.
This is our main motor.
And we always helped as best we could, ”explained the champion of Russia and Europe.