The deserved master of sports.

The prize-winner of superiority of the USSR, the champion of the USSR, the numerous champion and the prize-winner of Russia, the winner and the prize-winner of stages of the Cup of Russia, the prize-winner of stages of the Cup of Europe, the champion of the World University game, the sixfold champion of Europe, the triple world champion, twice bronze and three times silver prize-winner of the World championships.

Aleksej Kovjazin the world champion on biathlon

Interview:

From what age you began to be engaged in biathlon?

Since 12 years.

Your first trainer?

V.A.Demidov and N.S.Sorokin.

Whether were engaged still in any kind of sports? What have achieved results?

Seriously enough anything, except biathlon, was not engaged. As well as many, took a great interest in track and field athletics, skis, gymnastics, swimming. Any serious results in these kinds of sports has not achieved.

How parents concerned your employment by biathlon?

Both concerned, and treat kindly, with understanding. Only mum worries about me, after all the big sports are at all that physical culture, it does not add health.

How you went to school? It was difficult to combine study and trainings?

Studied on «4» and «5». While trips on competitions and gathering was not, all was combined easily. Then has received the invitation to train more seriously, last class of school studied in the Sverdlovsk boarding school of a sports profile of School of an Olympic reserve.

What for you sports and biathlon, in particular mean?

Sports – gripping show, passion, the experience, a healthy way of life. Biathlon – favourite work, business of all life.

What character traits, in your opinion, help the sportsman to achieve good results?

Purposefulness, persistence, diligence, discipline, decency.

What stir?

Laziness and “star fever”.

How consider, what has allowed you to achieve such high results?

I will better tell, that has not allowed to achieve higher results (through a prism of last time): rash up to the end transition to other trainer in the beginning of sports career. Besides, happened, that incorrectly placed priorities. All it has affected subsequently sports destiny.

If you were not the biathlonist whom would become?

One of 17 thousand.

Formation?

The higher. A Sverdlovsk college of mines (nowadays Mountain university).

The marital status, children?

It is married, daughters Anna of 5 years.

Whether you will insist, that children have gone on your stops?

No, everyone should choose employment to liking. And love cannot be ordered.

What would you advise to the beginning sportsmen, dreaming to become champions?

Champions are not born, them become. Put before itself the purpose, work more, not regretting itself and not paying attention to the others and to temptations of a usual life. Be able to refuse in something to itself for the sake of purpose achievement. Observe a sports mode.

In the mid-sixties last century in Novouralsk there was one of the kinds of sports most popular today – biathlon.

Modern kind of sports, during that time only just started to develop in the world, ski racers among whom were Kim Stepanovich Tomahin and Boris Vladimirovich Polushkin – in the future known trainers to all Soviet Union on biathlon have brought from the next gathering in Kirovo-Chepetsk.

Modern kind of sports, during that time only just started to develop in the world, ski racers among whom were Kim Stepanovich Tomahin and Boris Vladimirovich Polushkin – in the future known trainers to all Soviet Union on biathlon have brought from the next gathering in Kirovo-Chepetsk.

Boris Polushkin: the autograph to the pupil.

Kim Stepanovich Tomahin in some years has managed to create a command which became one of most “star” in a galaxy of Novouralsk biathlonists:

S.N.Chernobrovkin, S.A.Sotnikov, A.V.Pjankov, L.K.Pensky, V.P.Korshunov.

In 1969 the national team on biathlon has acted on superiority of Main board of physical culture and sports and has occupied 5 place.

Then, of course, detsko-youthful biathlon at all was not. Many veterans-biathlonists recollect, that have started to go in for sports – track and field athletics, cross-countries, swimming (all gradually) – only having come from army. If to consider, that some served for 3-4 years it is possible to say that champions of the country became in those days, having started to be engaged in 25 years!

Stanislav Chernobrovkin

Yes, in those days much was differently, than today. Since equipment of the skier. Stanislav Nikolaevich Chernobrovkin, for example, tells, that, having come after army, was engaged in skis in a grandmother’s jacket! When Kim Stepanovich called him in biathlon, he and spoke: «Glory, we will go to me – I in a wool and synthetics will dress you».

Leonid Penskih in a firing line

Not is better business and with the weapon was. In the blossoming of biathlon the rifle of the sportsman weighed more than 7 kg, as a matter of fact it was the present fighting weapon with calibre 7,62 mm. Shot from distance of 250 metres. The situation and that those years in a city there was no shooting range for biathlon became complicated. «And trained, – tells S.N.Chernobrovkin, – we run wood on «the Trailing stone», I shoot, and it of mushroom pickers drives away (B.V.polushkin)».

Sergey Sotnikov on a distance

Since 1975 Boris Vladimirovich Polushkin becomes the trainer of a city national team. The period of building of a line is connected With its arrival to biathlon for biathlon in “cape Verde”. The shooting range in “Green cape” has been constructed only in 1982. Boris Vladimirovich has chosen in advance a place for it, has agreed with the bulldozer driver, and at night выкорчевали trees, razryli-have levelled a platform. Here too has not done without funny things because next day the trainer-enthusiast have arrested and nearly have not planted in prison for the autocratic order wood grounds. The blessing, on a gain V.F.Kornilov, the general director of the Ural electrochemical integrated plant (UEIP) have come G.D.Zavada, then the chairman of Incorporated factory committee № 370, and. The trainer have released, and building round a shooting range has begun to boil: some time later there was «a house standing» for disguise of sportsmen, dump road to a shooting range, have asphalted ski line.

Practically all line for biathlon in “cape Verde” on which one generation of biathlonists of the modular country trained not, has been constructed by forces of Novouralsk sportsmen. Boris Vladimirovich recollects, that the huge help in biathlon development in Novouralsk then rendered G.D.Zavada and V.F.Kornilov. Discussed problems and found ways of their decision as a rule evenings, houses at Vitaly Fedorovicha. Pioneers of biathlon in Novouralsk dreamt that “cape Verde” becomes the centre of the international biathlon. Unfortunately, their dreams were not carried out in many respects because of the reorganisation difficulties which have appeared suddenly in 90th years, in many respects – that Vitaly Fedorovich too has early died…

The author thanks for the help in preparation of materials of S.N.Chernobrovkina and B.V.polushkina.

Photo from archive S.N. Chernobrovkina and S.A.Sotnikova.

We represent you Novouralsk trainers on biathlon:

Savelij Pavlovich Solovev, the deserved trainer of Russia

Sergey Savelevich Solovev, the trainer

Sergey Aleksandrovich Sotnikov, the deserved trainer of Russia

 Savelij Pavlovich Solovev, the deserved trainer of Russia

The work experience – more than 30 years. The pedagogical activity began at school №47. In parallel conducted section of cross-countries where were engaged the future trainer Vladimir Smirnov who was a part of the youth modular country on biathlon Jury Mehanoshin, a star of Novouralsk skiing Dmitry Egoshin.

Since 1993 Savelij Pavlovich has completely passed to trainer’s work in school №53, on biathlon branch. Graduates of the trainer in different years were Alexey Konshin, Elena Davgul, Paul Chuprijanov, Ljubov’ Petrova.

In 2004 Savelij Pavlovich the rank «the Deserved trainer of Russia», among its pupils the master of sports of the international class Elena Davgul, 10 masters of sports, 25 candidates for the master of sports is appropriated.

In 2004, from the moment of formation of children’s sports youthful school № 4, has passed in trainer’s collective of this sports school.

Since 2000 S.P.nightingale works in sports club “Cedar” with groups of the higher sports skill.

Sergey Savelevich Solovev, the trainer

The trainer’s dynasty of family Solov’evyh has proceeded son Savelija Pavlovicha – Sergey Savelevichem.

Younger Nightingales, as well as the father, began the trainer’s activity at school №53, simultaneously working in sports club “Cedar”. For 12 years of work as the trainer «through hands» Sergey Savelevicha there have passed many children who have executed the specification of the candidate for the master of sports.

From them the best – Jury Romanov, Artem Simeons, Konstantin Barsin – the winner of superiority of the Ural federal district on biathlon.

Sergey Aleksandrovich Sotnikov, the deserved trainer of Russia

Since 1980 trained skiers-racers in Sports Club of Army of the Ural military district.

Has brought up 5 masters of sports on the cross-countries, becoming time and again prize-winners of Superiority of the USSR. Was among the first in Ekaterinburg who began to petition in CSKA for development of female biathlon. Has brought up in Sports Club of Army of two masters of sports on biathlon.

In 1992 has moved with a family to Novouralsk where has continued to cultivate biathlon, becoming the children’s trainer. Since 1997 was the trainer-teacher in sports club “Cedar”, and since 2004 continues to work at children’s youthful sports school № 4.

In 2001 S.A.Sotnikovu has been appropriated the higher qualifying category. In the end of 2006 Sergey Aleksandrovich has been awarded ranks «the Deserved trainer of Russia».

Only for last five years Sergey Aleksandrovich has brought up 18 candidates for the master of sports on biathlon, 10 masters of sports and the master of sports of the international class Anna Sotnikovu.

From history

Galina Vasilevna Sotnikova, the senior trainer on biathlon of Children’s youthful sports school № 4. The master of sports on cross-countries and biathlon.

Was born in Solikamsk, was engaged in cross-countries. The personal trainer has moved to Ekaterinburg and visors with itself of the best pupils in which number there was also Galina Vasilevna. 

In Ekaterinburg female biathlon then only just gained in strength and its trainer cultivated at the College of mines Boris Zaharovich Belonosov. One of schoolmate Galinas Vasilevny in parallel was engaged at it in biathlon, but Galina Vasilevna has not dared to change to skis and, by its recognition, all life then regretted, that already then has missed possibility professionally to be engaged in biathlon. But she has met in Ekaterinburg the future husband – biathlonist Sergey Sotnikova. It supported sports army club, as well as Galina Vasilevna. After the young family has got children: daughter Anechkoj and son Sergey – they have moved to Novouralsk, home Sergey Aleksandrovicha. Since this moment, namely since 1992, the history “SOTNICOV’s biathlon team” begins.

- Galina Vasilevna, tell, please, as all began?

- When we have arrived to a city, here biathlon have been already enough developed. «The road was laid» by such eminent trainers, as Kim Tomahin, Evgenie Kolokolnikov, Boris Polushkin. And names of Novouralsk biathlonists were known by all country. In general, atmosphere in a city accompanied biathlon development, and we practically have typed at once group of children. Sergey Aleksandrovich was for this purpose placed in school by №43 teacher of an additional education. At that time in our trainer’s activity the big participation has accepted Lev Mihajlovich of Goats working then at school as 43 teacher of physical culture. It the first in our city has supported us and has believed, for what we are very grateful to it. Well and I then still served in army, worked in military unit 3280. After work too was engaged with children, on public principles. By the way, in it, the first set there was our daughter Anna, Natalia Egoshina.

And began at all of us with zero – the premise special was not, more often children changed clothes directly at our place. With the world on a thread have collected ski stock – have thrown a call among veterans of skiing with whom Sergey Aleksandrovich once together ran. Printed reading and writing, invented prizes.

- How many the person trains today under your beginning in on biathlon of Children’s youthful sports school № 4?

- Together with Sergey Aleksandrovicha’s group at us nearby 50 persons, from them half already in a category of biathlonists, and second half (group of initial preparation), is more younger, is engaged in cross-countries.

- I know, that your command is famous for the traditions …

- Yes, children like to gather together in different occasions – all birthdays is marked, on picnics we leave. In summertime – country sports camp, in the autumn always we leave on gathering to Black sea. And after carrying out of competitions on biathlon on L.Bojarskih’s prize – together with parents the sports holiday, directly in the same place, in green cape on a line is arranged. Children think out competitions for adults, and those with pleasure in them participate. At us, it seems to me, very amicable and rallied collective. And it also is very important at education of sportsmen – healthy command spirit which the best tutor also is.

About secrets of trainer’s Skill

- When to you in section the new child comes, you see at once, whether there will be it the champion?

- Certainly, no. At once the talent can be visible. And here diligence and feeling of responsibility of the child further joins. Happens (and frequently) the child capable, at the beginning to it equal is not present. But if subsequently he visits training employment “anyhow”, and another, less talented, but more hardworking will persistently go to the victories – here here all and rises on the places. The regularity of trainings is very important for the future victories.

- How you consider, in what the main secret of success of the good sportsman?

- I will repeat, in diligence. Day by day it is necessary to slave away. Special talent at the person can and not to be, but at the expense of diligence he can achieve much. I do not cease to be surprised to our children who, that not noticing, work as the present ants. They and do not realise it, do not notice while the enormous work. This daily work is interesting to them, it turns to game. I simply admire these children – I would devote an ode to them, the word of honour!

The second … If is fair, all the same at least small talent should be! Well also such factor, as absolute mutual trust of the pupil and the trainer is important.

- What depends on the trainer in education of the sportsman?

- Yes very many! You give me the child, trust not only its sports career, but also health, partly education. The trainer can mould everything from the ward. And not only the champion. It is elementary to overload a children’s organism in volume of trainings, for example. For this reason we work in close cooperation with sports doctors. The medical control at least 2 times a year – are obligatory (unfortunately, at us in a city it while the big problem). Depending on its result to each child individually we select loadings. Well and in general, sometimes after all and without the sports doctor the condition of the child is visible. When something is not glued, depression, weakness – the trainer should be very attentive.

- And what lays down on shoulders of parents in development of the young sportsman?

- A good food is time. A high-grade harmonious food where fibers are balanced, fats, carbohydrates where there are enough vitamins, minerals. It is very important to remember, that absence of a qualitative and sufficient food conducts to an organism exhaustion. Especially quickly it occurs at children, after all forces are necessary to them also for natural growth, and not just for trainings, school, homeworks …

Remember: the child badly attempted – an organism was not restored, forces on training are not present, cannot be and result.

Qualitative dream – the second important condition for the sportsman. It is so important, as well as to eat. For the sake of a dream it is necessary to offer both computer games, and TV viewing, and other things. If your small sportsman goes to bed after 11 is an accident for it, believe.

- Whether are the sports family, parents-trainers the keystone to success for the future sportsman?

- Far not always. And in general the percent of champions-children of sportsmen is not indicative in this plan. I will tell more, often such sports life from the cradle in general discourages children to sports.

The chance to become the champion is at everyone – hardworking, talented and, on my deep belief, the kind person.

Command of biathlonists

Biathlon in Novouralsk

From the sixteen years nine Larissa Nadeeva is engaged in biathlon. In 14 has protected a rank of the candidate for the master of sports. On a question «That for you sports mean?» Answers, as well as many sportsmen: «It is my life». That, except sports, is in a life of the sportsman, and about many other things we and have talked to Larissa.

- Larissa with what your hobby for sports has begun?

- I in a kindergarten went to different mugs, in gymnastics was engaged. Parents gave me to art school, then we wished to go to section of the big tennis …

- Did not take?

- Yes is not present, we simply have not reached. At us at school the physical culture then was taught by Sergey Aleksandrovich Sotnikov, the trainer on biathlon. He has called to itself in section. It also has solved definitively my sports destiny.

- But you after all did not know this kind of sports why remained?

- It was pleasant. I have come in the autumn, we at first ran, played, together went to campaigns. Then studied on the sly in technics of driving in the winter, much simply walked on skis. At us very good collective and trainers, they develop love to biathlon.

In a firing line. A photo from L.Nadeevoj’s personal archive

- Larissa, share a secret how your mode of day is organised?

- When I do not leave on gathering or competition, I go to school in the morning. After school I have quickly dinner, then training to 6 o’clock in the evening. I come, I eat and I sit down lessons.

- In how many a release?- Looking how many lessons. While all I will not make.- And how and when you have a rest?

- To time remains a little. But happens, as I walk with friends, I like to chat by phone, sometimes it turns out to look the TV.

Is, I understand, in a “quiet” season, when there is no competitions?

- Yes. When competitions and gathering begin, we seldom happen at home, can, days on ten in a month.

- How you go to school?

- Well.

Maria Strizhakovoj’s photo

- How teachers to what you almost always are not present concern?

- At us at school – with understanding. Both the director, and teachers support and help. I after all take constant additional tasks, I carry out them, then I come, I hand over. Certainly, teachers somewhere make concessions. On the other hand, I understand, as I do not have such profound knowledge in subjects as it would be desirable.

It is clear. But where time for performance of additional tasks, for undertakes learning? After all a vacation at the sportsman does not happen!

- I take with myself on gathering textbooks in the basic subjects. Now here mum helps to prepare for final examinations, collects the information on geography. And still, know, I when I come, know, that I have only 10 days, for example, to learn. I to each lesson am going, try to take from it on a maximum. By the way, sometimes I am surprised, how my schoolmates simply “squander” those possibilities which have.

- Tell, and here such sports, already at high enough level, stirs or helps you on a life?

- Certainly, helps! It concerns both my health, and the future study. I do not wish to think on the future and to say, that I will connect the life with professional sports. But it would be desirable to run about still. And minuses? Well, I already said, that it is impossible to study is high-grade, sometimes it is necessary to refuse to myself in any entertainments, temptations to throw back. Sports learn to be responsible and disciplined. When each minute is appreciated, be able to distribute time and desires too. You do everything, that from you it is required, up to the end. Well, and if I very much want something, I can and break, certainly (smiles). But then very quickly I gather and I settle into shape.

- Larissa and how parents concern your employment?

- They very much help me, understand, rejoice to my victories and never abuse, if I

I lose. Always praise, support.

- At you an especial food?

- Yes is not present, I in what myself I do not limit. Problems with weight are not present, therefore I eat all. In biathlon it is necessary to be strong and strong. I love all sweet. At competitions I eat a large quantity of chocolates.

- Give we will talk actually about biathlon. Of what you think, when you come on the next shooting?

It is very difficult: to gather emotionally. It is not necessary to think, that here I will now be adjusted also all I will get. The main thing – to gather and make all how on training.

- And if a miss?

- You are angry with yourself and you think, that on a following boundary you will not commit this error.

- It would not be desirable to spit upon all and to descend from a ski track?

- No, I cannot allow myself of it, any sportsman cannot. Never. The same as I can not pass training.

- What the most difficult in sports?

- When it is heavy and it is necessary to endure.

So all began 9 years ago. Fhoto Sergey Aleksandrovich.

Sometimes happens such on a difficult distance – you run and you think: «Now I will reach finish and all I will throw». And when you finish, such happiness! And all settles into shape.

- And what the most pleasant?- A victory.- You remember the first victory? 

- Yes, certainly. It was my very first medal for a victory in competitions on a prize Seigniorial which traditionally pass in our city in April. When to me have told, that will give a medal, I have thought, that the chocolate. Then I even could not imagine, that it so is serious, really.

- Today at you already a collection of medals. Tell about last successes.

- On selection on the third winter Games on district at me were 2, 4 and 7 places. In the Games ending – 11 and 16 places. At the All-Russia competitions on prize Chepikova – 1 and 2 places. On superiority of Russia – 2 place.

- How many it is necessary to train to achieve such results?

- Trainings five times a week, for 1,5-2 hours. On the average I run on 16-18 km for training. When on gathering, before competitions, on two trainings – in the morning and in the afternoon.

- Larissa, all these years together with you were the same trainers – Galina Vasilevna and Sergey Aleksandrovich Sotnikovy.

- Yes, they it is not so simple trainers for me, and as parents: loving, attentive, careful. At us very human relations in section, with all and to all. Galina Vasilevna and Sergey Aleksandrovich have much enclosed in me. When there were serious problems with health, thanking it I was not has left sports, and health only has improved.

- What you, how already skilled sportsman, the professional as a matter of fact, will advise to beginning biathlonists?

- To train, not to be lazy. The main thing – not to pass training. To Have patience, go to results gradually. To overcome all the I do not want and I can not, when it is very heavy – to endure.

Sergej Aleksandrovich i Galina Vasil’evna Sotnikovy.

Biathlon is a cross-country with the weapon on the established distances and shooting on targets from a prone position and standing on firing lines. Feature of biathlon – in a combination in one competition various on physiological influence on an organism of kinds of sports.

The red army of all is stronger

In 20-30 years in parts of Red Army competitions on skis in which sportsmen passed a distance of 50 km with the full fighting calculation which was made by 8 kg of an ammunition, a holdall, an overcoat-skatka and two manual grenades were popular.

Then there were the races of patrols consisting of command race on 30 km with the weapon and shooting on finish. Such competitions were popular and abroad. They have been included in the program as indicative on the first winter Olympic games in Shamoni (France) in 1924. Staginess, dynamism and an emotionality of similar competitions promoted transformation of races of patrols to a new independent kind of sports – biathlon. In 1957 biathlon has been officially confirmed by the International union modern pentathlon.

The ski track, mountains, a skating rink, sledge – who is more

Everi Brendedzh, the president of the international Olympic committee in the early fifties, by consideration of a question on biathlon inclusion in the program of the winter Olympic Games as analogue winter pentathlon, insisted that such competitions should include cross-countries, mountain skiing, figure skating, скелетон and jumps on skis (now that’s something like it!). The original initiative has not passed that is high-grade prepare sportsmen on all above-stated disciplines only too limited quantity of the countries could.

The Latin name modern pentathlon «pentathlon» has prompted a principle of the name of a new kind of sports – run on skis with shooting on targets – “biathlon”.

The first championship of the USSR on biathlon

has passed on Uktussky mountains near Sverdlovsk (Ekaterinburg) in 1957.

The first World championship

Biathlonists have spent in 1958 in Austria. Biathlon birthday has been officially proclaimed on March, 2nd, 1958. Next year (2008) we will mark 50th years of biathlon!!

That it is more important: it is good to shoot or well to run?

Until recently was considered, that the strong skier who has come to biathlon, can struggle without ceremony for high places. Phenomenal speed Anfisy Rezcovoj allowed it to win in sprint at 5 misses, reeling up additional circles on 150 metres.

Is and today unique cases of exclusive sportsmen, but as a whole modern biathlon does not allow to neglect neither shooting, nor race. Shooting becomes one of its key elements, and not simply shooting, and shooting high-speed. At the same time all is accelerated also run.

Jokes

Instead of illegally disqualified command of the Russian skiers on relay race start there was a national team on biathlon. Already after the first firing line our command has strongly won first place.

Last stage биатлонной relay races. Having shot, the first the Russian biathlonist, and behind it with a small separation the German and the Norwegian leaves on finish. Finish … Russian crosses a ribbon with a flag in hands, and contenders all is not visible. Reporters rush to it:

- How you managed so to come off? You, probably, were well prepared for race?

- You know, after shooting at me remains two additional cartridges …

- How you have appeared in the Russian national team on biathlon, Said?

- Shot …

To the Ukrainian command on biathlon have allowed to grease skis with fat. The instructor African commands on skis syn:

- It was difficult choose ski ointment?

- Ointment choose it is easy – it was heavy to smear a ski track!

Sergey Sotnikov, the master of sports on biathlon, 18 years.

The numerous prize-winner and the winner of superiority of Russia among young men since 2002. In the middle of February of this year the silver prize-winner in sprint has returned the champion of Russia among young men in prosecution race. Twice for last two years acted on Superiority of the world on biathlon among young men: in 2006 – in the USA, in 2007 – in Italy (Martel).

We have asked to share Sergey impressions how there passed world youthful starts this year.

- Sergey, the first question – as you estimate the performance in Martele?

- In general, I consider, that have made everything, that was on forces. Certainly, counted on a medal, but 6 place in race of prosecution and 10 in sprint is too quite good results.

-In my opinion, performance at world level it is already healthy what to speak about hit in ten strongest! As the present result shows considerable progress in comparison with results of the American starts when you were in third ten. In this connection a question – than in Italy conditions of races differed from the USA?

In the USA practically there were no high mountains, and Martel are average mountains, height above sea level – 1700 metres. The most difficult – adaptation process: shortage of oxygen, pressure. Especially hard first days of trainings.

- What is the time it is necessary for the sportsman for adaptation to such climate?

- At organism everyone the possibility for accustoming. We have arrived for two weeks, but all the same on peak of the form I felt myself only by the end of starts.

- Except physical possibilities of the sportsman what influences success of performances?

- Very important competently to approach to training process, not to be overloaded. At us was not before performances in the conditions of the high mountains, therefore the first valuable experience have got in Italy. The psychological spirit, emotional support are still very important.

- Who and how supported you from Russia?

- Is, of course, my trainers and parents, sister: the father was with me in Italy, and mum with sister watched a course of events in native Novouralsk. It was very pleasant, when many friends and acquaintances called to Italy, congratulated, supported.

- Sergey the Novouralsk school of biathlon, in your opinion, is how much strong?

- I can tell, that Novouralsk sportsmen know, they make strong enough competition at the most different levels of competitions, both in man’s, and in female biathlon.

There is an information on a theme? Write here.

Chepikov Sergey Vladimirovich.
Date of birth – on January, 30th, 1967.
Residence – Ekaterinburg.
Higher.
Knows four languages – English, German, Danish and Norwegian.The deserved master of sports (1988, biathlon). The master of sports of the international class (cross-countries). The champion of the USSR. The world champion. The silver and bronze prize-winner of the World championships. The winner and the bronze prize-winner of World Cups in the general offset. The Olympic champion in relay race 4х7,5 km and in sprint on 10 km. The silver and bronze prize-winner of winter Olympic games. The participant of five Olympic games. The Sign on Honour (1988), «For personal courage» (1994) is awarded by awards.

Our glorified fellow countryman and biathlonist Sergey Chepikova in due time disqualified on some times in a year. The unruly experimenter of that only did not get up with the weapon. It posesses idea to carry a rifle a trunk downwards. Except original carrying of a rifle our double olympic champion liked to chat on a boundary. Trainers tell, that at times during the most responsible moment it could take an interest easy at them, for example, in the program of evening actions. Our well-known fellow countryman-biathlonist Sergey Chepikov by results of performances at World Cup stages, probably, could not provide to itself a place in a national command and has not gone on the World championship to Italy. Remained the house, it has taken part in cross-country «the Ski track of Russia-2007», passed on February, 11th on range «Старатель» near Nizhni Tagil. In prize-winners Sergey has not got, but attention from journalists and fans used absolutely not smaller, and can, even big, than winners. As soon as it has crossed finishing line, at once has got to a dense ring wishing to communicate to it. Sportsmen of different age in eager rivalry stretched it the numbers and skis and asked to undersign on them. It is curious, that among them there were many children though when it gained the loudest victories, many of them did not exist yet.

And journalists extorted from the veteran, whether it is going to finish sports career? I too have set to the deserved biathlonist some questions on this theme.

- Sergey, you strongly was upset, what you did not take on the World championship to Italy?

- Yes is not present, it is normal vital evolution. I consider, that in the World championship the most worthy, most prepared sportsmen should act. I with pleasure support our children and I rejoice to their successes.

- Whether it is possible to speak about end of yours биатлонной open-cast mines?

- Probably, I have already close approached to it. But in a life there is everyone, maybe, also i will take part.

- Whom you of see further?

- The trainer, to tell the truth, I would not wish to be. If would began to train, only the smallest that long travelling was not. Perhaps, work on any sports objects, in a sports infrastructure. In general, any activity close to sports.

- Perhaps it is necessary to go in the footsteps of Фетисова, let us assume, in scales of Sverdlovsk area?

- All can happen, but while such offers did not arrive. And most to arise inconveniently.

- And in the politician you of see or not?

- A policy too interesting employment … And in general where I of only do not see!

- Successes to you!

- Thanks!

Vladimirs PAULS, a photo of the author.

TO THE WORD

Our glorified fellow countryman and biathlonist Sergey Chepikova in due time disqualified on some times in a year. The unruly experimenter of that only did not get up with the weapon. It posesses idea to carry a rifle a trunk downwards. Except original carrying of a rifle our two-multiple Olympic champion liked to chat on a boundary. Trainers tell, that at times during the most responsible moment it could take an interest easy at them, for example, in the program of evening actions.