Victor Maygurov

February 7 is Viktor Maygurov's birthday. What is not a reason to find out with what eyes the two-time Olympic medalist, three-time world champion, and now the president of the Russian Biathlon Union looks at the sport he has chosen, and what paths led him to this sport.

– Viktor Viktorovich, what is the phenomenon of the popularity of biathlon?

– In unpredictability. It seems that there are leaders, but often there is a joker who can turn everything around.

– What is its main difficulty?

– In the ratio of physical readiness and psychological stability. No matter how strong you are functionally, shooting is of great importance. Many people are able to shoot in a calm state, shooting under load, at a high pulse is another sport. And when you represent a country in a relay race or, as we say, "shoot for a medal," coping with psychological pressure is top class.

– There is an opinion that our biathletes are clamped psychologically, the result dominates them, while their rivals go to the race with a smile. Do you agree with this?

– The mentality is changing. In Soviet times, if our national team did not carry a gold medal from the Olympics, the coach understood that it was time for him to go out. Now no one needs to be additionally motivated. On the other hand, I don't think foreigners

– Part of your life is connected with Khanty-Mansiysk. Few can say that they are familiar with this region. What is he famous for?

– You can tell a lot about Ugra. My first acquaintance happened in 1994, when I was invited to play for this region. At that time in Khanty-Mansiysk there were only one or two stone buildings, wooden sidewalks and not a single traffic light. As modern as this city has become now, it became thanks to biathlon and the first governor of Khanty-Mansiysk, Alexander Vasilyevich Filipenko. In the early 1990s, IBU President Anders Besseberg was invited to the site of the biathlon stadium - there was nothing there then. And Filipenko told him: "Anders, we are building a world-class center, and you give us the right to hold an international competition." They struck hands, and each kept his word. At first it was youth competitions, then came the World Cup stages and two World championships in 2003 and 2011.

Foreigners began to pronounce the word "Khanty-Mansiysk" thanks to biathlon,

– What do you choose between downhill skiing and snowboarding?

– I am friends with downhill skiing, but in order to get high, you need to stand on them confidently. When we were still juniors – this is the 88th, 89th, 90th year - all the first training camps of the season began in the Elbrus region. There, at the beginning of May, we had ski training. Well, how were you? "Here are the skis for you! Here are the shoes! Here's the lift! Here's a mountain – go for a ride!" (laughs). So I learned the basics of alpine skiing, then I got up on them when I had the opportunity. I have been flying freeride to Kamchatka for the last 17 years and this is a separate story. These are unprepared trails, volcanoes, wildlife, helicopters and incomparable impressions. Having visited many places in the world, I fell in love with Kamchatka and return there again and again. This is an amazing place for those who love an active lifestyle.

– How do you assess the performance of the Russian national team in the season that has begun?

– In short, this is the best season in the last 3-4 years (approx. – the conversation took place in December 2021 during the "Izhevsk wines