"The important thing is to return from Vancouver safe and sound"

Tatarstan athletes – participant of three Paralympics Irina Pollyakova and 17-year-old novice Rushan Minnegulov left for Vancouver to represent the republic at the Winter Paralympics-2010.

The Winter Paralympics-2010 will be held in Vancouver on March 12-21. The Russian delegation at the 10th Games consists of 91 people, including 32 sportsmen (6 wheelchair athletes among them), 13 coaches, doctors, massage therapists, sport officials, representatives of Russian mass media. Tatarstan will be represented by experienced Irina Polyakova, who takes part in the 4th Paralympics in her career (she won silver in Salt-Lake City and gold in Turin) and 17-year-old athlete from Saby Region Rushan Minnegulov. Both republican athletes will participate in ski racing and biathlon competitions.

Tatar-inform reporter took an interview from the sportsmen before their departure for Vancouver.

Why does the national Paralympic team leave so early for Vancouver?

I.P.: The time difference with Vancouver is 11 hours, that’s why we are planning to go in advance. How can we get their just when the competitions start? No good performance can be expected from us in that case.

Where will you stay in Vancouver?

I.P.: We will be staying in the same Olympic Village as usual Olympic athletes and use the same cafeterias.

Irina, which sport disciplines will you participate in?

I.P.: I will take part in biathlon and ski racing competitions in individual rating. The first start is scheduled for March 13. If I manage to demonstrate high results in individual competitions, then I might be included in the relay-race team entry-list.

By the way, there is a possibility that the ski-run distance for wheelchair athletes will be cut as compared with the ski-run for healthy sportsmen.

What is your mood before your fourth Paralympics?

I.P.: I’m quite spirited, of course, But sport is sport. A lot depends on the weather, skis, and ski poles. Even the greatest athletes can fall.

Victory is victory, Defeat is defeat, Sport is sport – on cannot predict in advance, especially taking into account such weather.

Four years ago, after Turin Paralympics you said in one of interviews that it had been your last games and it was time to start coaching…

I.P.: At first, I wanted to. But then I participated in competitions for a year – it turned out to be success, then one more year… That’s how I reached Vancouver Games. And now I say that I want to start coaching after Vancouver. We will see. Probably, I’ll have enough strength till Sochi Games (laughs), one never knows.

Who do you consider to be the strongest rival?

I.P.: Representatives of Ukraine. They are afraid of me, but I’m not afraid of them. Though they are very strong athletes indeed. There is one strong athlete in Byelorussia. I feel confident in competing with others.

Rushan, it is your first Paralympic in your career? Are you nervous?

R.M.: Of course I am. The decision of sending me to Vancouver was made only this year. But we always aim at victory, that’s why I have certain self-confidence.

Irina, to give hope to physically challenged people, could you tell them about how to go in for sports?

I.P.: It’s a sore topic. We have talked about it quite a lot. It’s my fourth Paralympics, but noone joined. They show Paralympic sportsmen on TV and talk about it a lot… If a person wants to do it, he/she would definitely find opportunities. For instance, they can come to the sports committee.

Was it difficult for you to makes this psychologically challenging step and go in for sports?

I.P.: No. it wasn’t challenging for me at all. I have always done sports since childhood. Probably, I wasn’t able to do a lot, but I wanted to. The foundation is laid in childhood. But without groundwork, it is difficult to make a 20-year-old person go in for sports.

By Kristina Ivanova