Alexander Katushev: principally e have decided to go on ith the grants to athletes from the summer kinds of sports

Russian winners and medalists of the World Aquatics Championships that finished in Rome (Italy) on 2 August may start to get the grants from the “Russian Olympians Foundation” on the new support program, as potential participants of the Olympic Games-2012 in London. The executive director of the “Russian Olympians Foundation” Alexander Karushev told about it to the Agency of sport information "All Sport".

“The World Aquatics Championships that has just finished in Rome evoked only positive emotions”,  Alexander Katushev said.  “Our Russian team took the third place in the overall medal table in great battle with very strong opponents, among whom it is worth to note another good performance from the team of China. But at these Championships I’d like to point out three main threads. First: most of the medals Russian team on in non-Olympic disciplines. Second: most of our medals ere on by omen, and not only in synchronized swimming where it is quite natural, but also in other sports. Third: the Championships showd both advantages and disadvantages of the development of modern swimming. I mean the plenty of the world records and a tough question on the swimming suits. I can’t say that the suits were the reason for so many world records. May be I’d more agree with those who say that it’s not all about the suits, otherwise it would become very easy: to put on the best suit and win. Even the legendary American Michael Phelps, as far as I understand, was swimming in some very standard suit, that did not stop him from winning another heap of gold medals. While speaking about wonderful suits looks more like advertising, that helps to get profit to production companies. In this situation International swimming federation (FINA) decided to fight against the so called “suits doping” and prohibited the suits, starting from the next year 2010. In my opinion, this decision was made mostly under the influence of emotions. We will have to get back to it not once more”.

Alexander Katushev also told how Russia can take part in the technical progress of the modern swimming. “The Ministry for sports, tourism and youth politics is responsible for promotion in our country of modern technologies and methods that may improve the quality of trainings and competition results. A special department in the ministry has been established. I hope it will be rather effective. “The Russian Olympians Foundation”, in its turn, in this situation sees no sense to interfere in the work of the ministry, although we are ready to provide help if needed. What about payments to the athletes – representatives of summer sports, this question must be solved in the nearest future. The principal decision on continuing the payments has been made, and may be, already this August we will start paying the grants to the athletes from summer kinds of sports”, Alexander Katushev said.