Alexei Yagudin: If will not happen miracle, in figure skating in Sochi will be a complete failure
The Olympic champion said what he thinks about the state of Russian figure skating
....
"I'm not friend with Plushenko's, but we are not enemies"
About his return to amateur sports, Yagudin did not think. "Way of Plushenko" is not for him. In general, about the rivalry with Evgeni, he do no think anymore.
- It's in the media was created intrigue that we hate each other - decided to put dot on the "and" skater - and it's natural. Fight of two good skaters on the one ice - it's a good story. If it were not Evgeni's - me they would compare to someone else, and vice versa. I want to say thanks to Zhenya, for what, that he performed with me at one time. And he, probably, wants to thanks me, for the same. We pushed each other. Especially when practiced in a coach. Zhenya doing something new, and I also want with something to impress. And vice versa. So, we raised the level of figure skating. While in ordinary life, we normally normally communicate. I recently congratulated him birthday, birth of a child, even before the wedding.
............
"While Piseev directed the federation, nothing will not be good"
...
- For me personally, amateur sports, Vancouver, Sochi - does not exist - shakes with his head Yagudin. - But I look at what is happening now. Especially after the introduction of new rules. Now I simply do not understand, what is happening there. Besides, I had other goals.
But, of course, remain in absolute ignorance of what happening in his native sport, Yagudin can not. Talking about the current status and prospects of the Russian men's single skating, leads him to sad thinking.
- In Vancouver, figure skating completely failed, - says Alexei. - God grant, that even one medal will be in Sochi. Complete collapse. Were the words of the president and prime minister, that the leaders of federations must answer for what happened at the Olympics. Valentin Piseev, I do not know how many years ruled by the Federation of figure skating. When coaches were younger and had a lot of athletes who were worthily performed, the leaders first came and took pictures with us. But when it was not so, their afternoon with a fire you can not find. Any help from them has not been. To me once sent from the Federation shoes, that were several sizes smaller and blades for dancers (they have no heels, blades for single skaters is longer). We said: "thank you very much". We are always doing it all ourself. Tatiana A. Tarasova, when I came to her in 1998, told me: "Lesha, do not expect help from anyone, we can rely only on ourselves". So, Valentin Piseev again deceived everybody. Created some new position - General Director. I think he is still the head of the federation. Put Gorshkov for president of federation, which does not play any role. Somehow, on all letters sent to the president of the federation replies Piseev, while Gorshkov during tests skating in the summer was on vacation.
Does not give optimism and material support of schools.
- We had a remarkable schools in Volgograd, Perm. There were many people, not from Moscow and St. Petersburg, than from other cities. Now we come to Volgograd with our ice - spreads his hands Yagudin. - All is ruined. Samara also. Maxim Shabalin, Alexei Tikhonov is from there. And what is there? The man in the sweater, which worked 15 years ago, same works and today. Arrives to a meeting of federation, do not give him the words to say something. While this will continue, while Piseev directed the federation, I think, nothing will not be good. If some miracle does not happen in figure skating, in Sochi will be a complete failure. That's my opinion. God grant, that it was not so. I'll be very happy with victories of our skaters. But for now, I see here such picture.
In Russia has very talented people. In all branches, not only in sports. Just need not milk, as always milked us, and Zhenya's, and Ira Slutskaya's, and Anton Sikharulidze's. We were winning, but to help us it was not necessary: we did it ourselves. But need to help children's sports. We have a huge country and many children, who may be engaged in figure skating....
popcorn.gif
Sources:
http://kirov.kp.ru/daily/24594/762433Translation from here:
http://evgeni-plushenko.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=20&p=42176#p42176