Vyacheslav Fetisov, two-time Olympic champion in hockey, in an interview with Sport frankly spoke about who he sees as the main coach of the national team, whether Alexander Ovechkin will be able to beat Wayne Gretzky's record, and also shared his attitude to the statements of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). off in the KHL?
“By and large, it will be a big expense. The creation of divisions is an opportunity to raise the most important — local — interest, which in team sports generates development, money, and everything else. But on the other hand, speaking of the scale of the Russian Federation, these are huge costs for moving. I don't know why this idea was even born. Of course, we do not think that the advantage of the East or the West is so obvious or not obvious that such drastic decisions are required. You can also introduce a smooth calendar so that everyone plays against everyone, then this will make sense. But let those who are directly involved in this issue calculate all the pros and cons. that the hockey federation is not going to renew the contract with the head coach of the national team Alexei Zhamnov. What do you think about it? In your opinion, does Zhamnov cope with his duties in the national team?- The national team does not exist, the coach is not renewed … It seems to me that Alexei coped with his task as a head coach. He worked in difficult conditions. We communicate with him, a responsible guy and, it seems to me, a very good specialist. I think the next season, when he becomes the head coach of Spartak, will confirm my words. A very strange decision now, when there is no national team, no international calendar. br>
— There was this position in the hockey federation. But if Zhamnov's contract is not renewed, how do they justify this? The fact that there is no national team, or that there will be another national team coach? could you take the command?
— Igor Larionov, Sergei Fedorov. Roman Rotenberg is ambitious in a good way. Mikhail Kravets showed himself as an advanced coach. I think there is a choice, which is very good. At one time there was no such choice.— The IOC has extended the suspension of teams from Russia. Was this expected for you?
— This is an absolutely ugly decision! And what about teams? Some kind of stupidity.
— At the same time, individual athletes can be allowed if they are not connected with the armed forces. How do you feel about this, given that a huge number of our athletes from CSKA, Dynamo and so on?
— Another disgrace and lawlessness. Tomorrow they will say that your grandmother must be of a certain nationality. I believe that this is our omission, and I will explain why. If we declared right away that we would return to the Olympic movement with a flag and an anthem, then we would not be offered this crap, forgive me, God.
— So you agree with Elena Vyalbe, who believes that we do not need to participate in international competitions under a neutral flag? br>- In this situation in which we now live, yes. I spoke about it, and I don't have to agree with anyone here. At one time, I «drowned» for our athletes to compete, because as an athlete and coach I understand how short an athlete's life is. But now it's a completely different story. Even with these conditions, which do not guarantee anything, this is complete chaos. I believe that we have not done enough in this regard. It was necessary to immediately inform the IOC, Bach: «Friends, do not offer anything else. One solution: if you return us with a flag and an anthem, which corresponds to the Charter, then we are ready, do not even offer all other options.» And there would be no such manipulation and split of society.
—If the IOC insists on public condemnation of the SVO, will they bury the idea of returning Russian athletes to the international arena?
— How many athletes do you think would agree to such conditions?
—I don't know. I think we should make a consolidated decision so that we don't judge or discuss anyone later. permission of the Russians. Will half of the world boycott us? This position is staged, there is nothing to be surprised about here.
—The last question. Do you think Ovechkin will be able to beat Gretzky's record?
— Of course he can. I definitely believe in it.