President of the Russian Biathlon Union (RBU) Viktor Maigurov in an interview with Sport spoke about the results of the season without international starts, new Russian skis, on which our athletes can already perform at the Olympic Games — 2026, and also analyzed the recommendations of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on the admission of Russia to world sports.
— Viktor Viktorovich, it is already possible to sum up the preliminary results of the season. What worked out well and what, perhaps, not so well?
— It was possible to organize competitions at a high level. Athletes managed to make each start interesting, there was always intrigue. The winners were often separated by seconds. This season allowed the leadership of the RBU to look more towards the regions, to better understand the level of regional coaches and athletes. Athletes of the Russian national team felt the breath of other biathletes on themselves, it happened that regional athletes beat them. I think the season went well. Probably, there is nothing that we planned, but could not implement. Everything went according to plan, except for the fact that due to frost, some races could not be held. The whole of December was cold, there were illnesses, but we have a winter sport. Is this inevitable?
— We analyzed the history of the weather in recent years. Such a frost, as it was in December, happened almost for the first time in 12 years. One way or another, we will start the season again in Khanty-Mansiysk, because in terms of logistics it is convenient for everyone, and then we will move towards the center.
— When do you plan to publish the calendar?
— I think it will be approved by the executive committee next week. But there will be no changes compared to what we discussed the day before at the coaching council. This will be the basis of the calendar for the next year.
— Natalya Gerbulova said that she already lacks racing skis. Is this really becoming a problem?
— I can say that there is an opportunity to purchase foreign skis. If you have money and desire, it is feasible. If I'm not mistaken, Natalia has a personal contract with a ski brand, so I don't think this is a global problem.
— At the end of January, the RBU presented skis of domestic production PROTEAM. Is their full use in the near future or is it still in the medium term?
— Already next season, these skis will be used by young men and, possibly, by juniors. I often ride them myself. I can say that they work great in terms of sliding. The manufacturing company and the SBR service are working hard to improve them, and we are not resting on our laurels. There is a goal that may seem impossible at first glance, but we want someone from the Russian team to run on these skis at the Olympic Games in Milan. There is an understanding of how to make something different from the skis that we are now supplied with. Perhaps it will even give a chance to gain a competitive advantage.
— Yes, the only thing is that the plastic on the skis is not ours yet, but the company already produces its own plastic. It is being actively tested, it started a few years ago. We took it to Austria and stuck it on Fischer and Madshus skis. The reviews were good. There are modest expectations that these will be direct rockets.
—Yuri Batmanov, who ran single-mixed doubles at the Russian Championship with his daughter Anastasia, proposed to make a show race in which they would accept participation of our biathlon couples. He counted at least eight of them. Would that be interesting to RRF?
— The RBU will support any initiative that would be of interest to the fans. We cannot ignore it. We can come up with anything ourselves, but the main thing is that it suits both athletes and spectators. SBR for any format. In general, many of today's races, including those included in the program of the Olympic Games, were originally a Russian idea. We are talking about mega mass start, super sprints. In this regard, Europe followed us.
— The day before, you said that if belonging to the Russian army was the only reason for non-admission to the Olympics, then our athletes, in theory, could be fired. There is a feeling that you have been misunderstood.“Of course, I was misunderstood. The words were taken out of context, and then the whole country discusses it. I was asked a direct question, what would happen if the athletes quit the law enforcement agencies, would it help them get to the Olympics. And I answered that there are many criteria for the admission of Russians voiced by the IOC, and among them there are no acceptable ones for us. A hypothetical dismissal from the army is just one of the criteria, but even if an athlete quits, this will not solve anything globally. If this were really the only criterion, the athlete would probably think, but now is not the case. At the same time, I am convinced that our country and leadership will strive to ensure that we are admitted without any restrictions. Moreover, this limitation is invented. Athletes in many countries are military personnel. Sweden is currently hosting the World Military Championship. Look at which countries are participating — Germany, France, Switzerland, Austria, Finland, Poland … And we are worse? strong
— This is not only specific to biathlon. In the same track and field athletics there are many servicemen. You don't need to be attached to it. Again, I am sure that this will not be the only condition. I am in favor of us being allowed to put on some kind of white overalls without conditions, without other factors. We need to fight so that there are no such criteria. to be discharged from the army and turned to you, what would you say?
We do not agitate for either whites or reds. Athletes receive financial support, for example, from CSKA or Dynamo. In this difficult time, the same CSKA gives its biathletes cartridges that now cost a fortune. I can’t connect the admission of athletes with belonging to law enforcement agencies in any way. We understand that this story is politicized. Individual governments are already telling the IOC president what to do. But the IOC is a public organization that must defend its independence.
— You noted that soon there will be communication with the International Biathlon Union (IBU). Is it about next week?They were supposed to meet yesterday and hold their executive committee, but no decisions were made. We will be informed if something is decided. But the current IBU is the most conservative organization. They will not run ahead of everyone to allow Russian athletes. I am sure of this, they will not take the first step.
— How many years can Russian biathlon spend in such isolation without critical damage to development?
— The longer we compete internally, the longer the process of restoring competitiveness will take. To become better, you have to fight with the strongest. As for juniors, I do not see a global problem. They have room to grow, something to strive for and someone to look up to. But for the main team, I would not want the return process to be delayed. There is also a psychological component. Returning to the world stage will be a good motivation for everyone. We need not only world champions among juniors, but first of all champions of the Olympic Games. And while the road to Milan 2026 is not closed, the Winter Games remain the main start of the four years for us.