Vasily Mosin: ‘Still there are targets – World Cup, European Championship and the Olympics’
Tatarstan shooters tell about the qualification and preparation for the Olympics in Brazil
On 30, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sport of Tatarstan hosted a meeting with shooters, candidates for the participation in the Games of the XXXI Olympiad in Rio de Janeiro. Not taking into account team sports, shooters might be called one of the most successful athletes of the republic. It is enough to say they have all possible awards under their belt except one – the Olympic gold. The Olympic Games in Rio was the main topic at the meeting that was visited by a correspondent of Realnoe Vremya. It is very curious to know the psychological state of our shooters and what they already knew about Rio.
Vladimir Leonov: 'We pin our hopes on the shooters'
Head of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sport of Tatarstan Vladimir Leonov proudly mentioned a special role of our shooters in the Olympic family of the republic. In addition, Minister made a point of explaining who provided the athletes with good conditions for the preparation for Rio…
'At present Tatarstan has 21 athletes in nine sports who might to join the national team of the country. Three of them are in shooting. We elaborated a special training programme, we constantly check the indicators and the athletes' results and talk to them. We have a big data base – no one is forgotten, nothing is forgotten. There were created all necessary conditions for our shooters for the preparation for coming competitions comfortably and being in top competition form. What is more, we are working in pharmacology, which is very important. Our Shooting School opened in July 2011, we will have a real anniversary very soon. The infrastructure we have today yields its fruits. And Sviyaga complex is supposed to be one of the best in Russia. It is a big heritage of the fruitful policy of the administration of the republic pursued in the last years during the preparation for the Universiade, where our athletes achieved good results. We pin our hopes on the shooters, in Rio they should demonstrate what they are capable of,' Minister said.
Sergey Demin: 'Only a half of the way is behind'
Director of the Specialised Sport Children and Youth School of Olympic Reserve on Shooting, head coach of the regional team, president of Shooting Federation of Tatarstan, head of the Sviyaga Shooting Complex Sergey Demin, the mentor of our most famous shooter Vasily Mosin, who was called 'legendary' by Leonov, specified that all our heroes of shooting are just candidates for the Olympic national team of Russia…
'It is the fifth Olympic cycle I participate in. And every time it is getting more difficult, not easier. Our athletes completed the Olympic cycle, it is a tough period: many qualifying competitions, trainings. It all happens far from their homes and families. Psychologically, it is very difficult. The guys are highly motivated, it is what helped them be among the candidates for the trip to Rio. But it is early to get relaxed – the final list of participants will be known in July, so now they all are just candidates. We hope our shooters, who can be on the list, will be there. Now it should be understood only a half of the way is behind: the next two months will be no less difficult, a stricter attitude towards oneself is needed. Only 50% of the work has been done. We need to increase the speed. We have many things to do. Acting shooting complexes in Tetyushi, Uslon, Saby are well used. Zilya Batyrshina from Saby, who has being training for a year only, won the Championship of Russia! It means we built a system giving results. Many athletes learnt to shoot besides the Olympic guys. The second stream of shooters is about to appear, it is also strong. Our four athletes are in the youth national team of Russia, Alina Fazylzyanova became a European champion. We will do everything to achieve good results at the Olympiad to be proud of our work,' the coach claimed.
Vasily Mosin: 'We have four-year life cycle'
Our celebrated shooter, world champion Vasily Mosin told us about the preparation for the Olympic Games in detail. He paid a special attention to the specifics of the Olympic shooting area in Rio de Janeiro, which turned out to be similar to Sviyaga…
An Olympic athlete has a four-year life cycle. We are working hard, each athlete is pursuing his or her dream. We knew where we would go in 4 years when the competition in London finished. As I imagine, our preparation looks like as it must be. We have all necessary conditions. It is an unprecedented preparation, which is close to a perfect model. I would like to express my gratitude to all people involved in this big Olympic movement: although shooting is an individual sport, we are on the offensive, we have a big team – the Ministry, Centre of Sports Preparation, the Federation...or, more precisely, now we are looking forward to the Games. Olympiad is a big event, we have a great desire to bring a part of this event to our republic.
Now you have been in good shape. How do you plan to keep it till Rio?
Yes, recently I have had good results. But I would not say I'm in superb form. I still have targets to hit – the World Cup in San Marino, European Championships and Olympics Games, there is room for growth. In general, everything is fine. I know when the Olympics begins. On 2 June, I will pack my suitcase, 'have a rest' in the hotel of the Sheremetyevo airport and then go to San Marino.
What is the difference of the Olympic shooting area from our Sviyaga?
First of all, judging by its background, the shooting area in Rio de Janeiro is similar to our Sviyaga. The only thing is that the wall is vertical and closer there, while ours is at an angle of 45°. Work parameters are very similar. The shooting zone is open as well as here. It is also good because we don't need to get used to it. But there are many differences too. Modern French-made throwing equipment results in that the target appears in the air as a flash together with the sound wave. One needs to use it properly. It was not easy for many participants in the World Cup in Rio, someone was just confused. Clay targets have their own peculiarities. They are made of eco-friendly materials. Brazilian ecological requirements are very high and strict. Flash and clay targets have being used at the Olympic Games since Pekin 2008. Their rotation is very difficult, it is difficult to hit the target. I personally failed to hit the target three or four times in the World Cup because of it. I physically could not follow the target. I know that one my Swedish colleague purchased the same clay targets and target thrower. And he thinks it will help him… But cartridge requirements are less strict in Rio.
What about the atmosphere in the team? Are not there any behind-the-scenes games in the formation of the Olympic team?
We made it in a way that no one could have a chance to utter a word about us either behind the scenes or in front of them. Why could we be asked questions? We've qualified: Katya Rabaya, Albina Shakirova, me. We are fine, the atmosphere is good, even excellent! There is a possibility to take children to the Games. The administration understands.
Is the situation of a possible ban of Russia on participation in Rio reflected in you?
Who will be banned? There is no official information yet. We are keeping abreast of the situation. This problem exists in athletics, this sport is in the league of its own. A corresponding decision will be made on 17 June. We are competing and preparing, we don't have problem. It is a force majeure, politesse…
Ekaterina Rabaya: 'I hope we will cope with it'
Mosin's young colleague nice Ekaterina Rabaya also thanked the administration of the Ministry for the support…
I will express again and again my gratitude to the republic. But now there is a colossal psychological anxiety. I hope we will cope with it. We don't have premature plans. We will see what happens in August.
How quickly did you get used in the Rio World Cup?
I even did not feel a great difference. Yes, we took Melaxen before going to sleep because the trip was very long, it took 13 hours. We did not sleep in the daytime. Eight days left before the World Cup when we arrived. At the Games we will come 11 days in advance. We want to train in the Olympic shooting area too.