Yevgeny Arhipov: during the organization of the Junior World Championships in Moscow there have been done everything possible for a human being

On July, 30, in Moscow a gala opening ceremony of the Junior World Sprint Canoe and Kayak Championships was held. After the end of the ceremony the president of the Russian Canoe and Kayak Federation Yevgeny Arhipov shared with the special correspondent of the Agency of sport information “All Sport” his views on the goals of the Moscow World Championships.

- Are you satisfied with Moscow preparations for this World Championships?
- Concerning the organization, there have been done everything possible for a human being, or, at leasr, close to this. We in the federation did not work alone, the main organizer is Moscow government represented by the Direction of sports and show events with Alexander Polinsky in the head. As for preparing the rowing channel, hotels, transportation and accommodation services, huge work has been done. Since January 2009 we have been regularly, once a fortnight, holding organizers’meetings and, it seems, achieved quite good results.

- Ok, in the organization everything is ready. And what can you cay about the readiness of the Russian athletes?
- Comeptition will show. Two weeks ago on the European junior championships we won in the team overall standings. But, I have to note, there were no there two strongest teams – Germany and Hungary. They were specially missing the continental championships to peak the shape for the World championships. So they all came to Moscow. But still, I think our team is ready. But only the competition will show if I am right or not.

- And generally, are the sports results important for you here? We all know that not every strong junior becomes a strong athlete in the seniors.
- You mean that important is the participance and not the places? Partly true, it is an Olympic principle. But still the results are important, even in young age. Don’t forget that we have got a client – a state, that mainly finances our training camps and competitions. So we have to give something back, that is to show good results.

-  What do you expect from this World Championships?
- You can’t jump higher than you can. You understand what times we had to pass through in our country. The death of sports stadiums, coaches leaving their job to find money – in some parts, these things still happen. I expect good results from our team. I met with the team yesterday, they are all in good mood and can stand the difficulties. I asked them: “Have you ever trained on water with the temperature “minus 25?” They answered: “We trained even with “minus30”! I expect that this Championships would help to draw some attention and help us get additional financial support. The city has invested a lot in the reconstruction of the rowing channel, although may be even bigger investments are needed. But – even the first step is important.

- After the World Junios Championships is over, is it real for Moscow to go further and bid, for example, for the senior World championships?
- We have to do a lot for this. But your question is quite logical. We would like to have an annual competition of  good international level. To begin with – a World cup stage. In 2012 first time in history we will hold a World cup stage in Moscow. That is something is being done. If we were doing nothing, I assure you, we would either have nothing.