Valery ALEKSANDROV: “I will dance the flamenco with pleasure”

The queens of sports began their season with quite a serious test, the world indoor athletics championship in Japan. The Day’s corespondent asked national team senior coach Valery Aleksandrov to comment on this initial start of Ukrainian athletes.

“Mr. Aleksandrov, the three medals — two gold and one bronze — account for half our team.”

“We are glad with the performance, the point is not only in awards. We had planned a certain training system for the leading athletes, started to try it out, and it worked immediately.”

“But several of our leaders stayed home: the famous Bubka, Balakhonova, and Pintusevych...”

“Bubka and Balakhonova, the leaders in pole-vaulting, were eager to test their strength in Japan. But, unfortunately, Bubka was injured last December, and operated on in France, but this does not hold him back, and he is ready to compete. Balakhonova also had bad luck: on February 19, during a foreign tour, she landed outside an ill-equipped pit from the height of 4 m. 20 cm. There were enough bumps and bruises, naturally, to keep her out of the championship.”

“If we go by the foreign press, Ukrainian track-and-field athletes are now to be reckoned with.”

“Why only ‘now’? This was and is so. Yes, are being sized up. Everybody wonders which stars and rookies we will bring. We are listened to, for instance, regarding a proposal to organize a European indoor championship in field events. So a normal constructive dialogue is underway between our and international athletics federations.”

“Among the seven athletes who have now competed is young Vinnytsia-based high jumper Andriy Sokolovsky who ended ranked sixth (also a high place). What are his prospects?”

“He was a revelation at this year’s Ukrainian championship in Lviv, when he surpassed his personal best by a staggering 10 cm. In Japan he didn’t get lost in the crowd, clearing the initial 220 and then 225 cm. Believe me, it’s difficult psychologically to compete in the company of those who have already made their reputations. I am afraid of lavishing too much praise on him, but he trains seriously and inspires great hope.”

“A more serious test, the world outdoor championship in Seville, lies ahead. Which of our well-known masters will reinforce the Ukrainian national team?”

“We plan to send a team of about thirty. Maybe the fans will again see the performance of Iryna Kravets, Atlanta Olympic champion in the triple jump, who has not competed for a whole year due to injury. The young Yevheniya Stavchanska is also expected to show a good result in this event. And, of course, we pin hopes on world champion Zhanna Pintusevych in the women’s sprint.

“In any case, the path to the national team is open to all. The season is very tight and gives young talents every opportunity to demonstrate their true strength. For example, there will be an under-21 championship of Europe in GЪteborg, Sweden, and the world’s first under-18 championship will be held in Poland. The latter is a very important meet in terms of not results but the prospects of selecting a ready reserve.”“It is, of course, too early to guess, but what harvest of medals do your charges to take in Seville?”“I would agree to seven awards and even dance the flamenco with pleasure. But you never know...”