Russian swimmer Andrei Minakov finally made it to Paris. In an interview with Sport, he spoke about financial compensation for being removed from the Olympic Games, the capital of France right now, changing citizenship, life in the USA, and also about how to support Yulia Efimova.
» Two million at the Russian Cup does not compensate for an Olympic medal»
— President of the Swimming Federation Vladimir Salnikov announced a fee of two million rubles for swimmers who will surpass the result of the Olympic champion of Paris in the Russian Cup Final. Good compensation for an Olympic medal?
— No, because these competitions cannot be compared with participation in the Olympic Games. And even if we became Olympic champions in Paris, we would receive more than two million rubles. But without a doubt, I would like to express my deep gratitude for the support in such a difficult moment, for stimulating our results through financial assistance. The only question that interests me is how much the others will receive, in addition to the surpassing winner of the Games, because there was also talk about results comparable to the Olympic final. So far we have not seen the document with the prize money.
— The Russian Olympic Committee also began paying compensation to participants in the Olympic Games. Did you get it?
— Yes, we paid 130 thousand 500 rubles as a participant, for which many thanks to our Olympic Committee.< br>
— You have decided to go on vacation to Europe.
— Who said about vacation? It turned out to be quite an interesting trip, but I still trained. In fact, I was supposed to compete at the Settecolli competition in Rome, everything was paid for. I wanted to stay there for a longer period, but it turned out that I got away with a quick trip.
— Why didn’t it work out to perform there?
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— Because in the end the organizers demanded neutral status. Initially, this condition was not stated in the requirements. It did not even come from the organizers of the competition, but from the International Aquatics Federation (World Aquatics). The Italians in this situation were simply intermediaries. And it was World Aquatics that prevented my participation at Settecolli, not the Italians. I haven’t thought about other foreign starts, while I’m focused on Russian ones.
— You were also in Paris. Were you able to train there?
— I had a transfer there on the way back home, I was there for less than a day. Nevertheless, I found time to take a walk and evaluate the city’s preparations for the Olympics.
— Ready for the Games?< br>
— I was there at the moment when they were already making the final touches, there were a lot of places that were being repaired, a lot of construction tents. However, looking at the volleyball arena or skateboarding arena, which are located close to the Eiffel Tower, you can say that everything is gorgeous. I don’t look like a member of a panel of judges that gives an opinion on the city’s readiness, and especially since I haven’t been inside the facilities, in the pool. All I can say is that the city is getting ready with all its might.
— In your opinion, is it safe to swim in the Seine?
— I’m not a biologist, I can’t give an opinion, but for me, as a tourist, the Seine looked quite normal: boats were sailing, people were walking along the river, life was in full swing.
«In In Paris, I realized that I would not be part of this holiday»
— What feelings came flooding in when you found yourself in Paris?
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— I felt sad. And when I was on the first day at Settecolli, I had the opportunity to meet all the swimmers we competed with before the restrictions. They were all very friendly, all the countries were glad to see me, we had a very good talk, and everyone regrets that we cannot return.
In Paris, the realization came that I would not be part of this holiday. Although now, even if we take my results at the Russian Championship in April, I understand that I could make good competition there and give a good fight. However, due to such stupid restrictions, we will not compete at the Olympics. I would still like to take revenge for Tokyo.
— Have you changed your opinion about the neutral status?
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— I haven’t changed it yet. First, the federation maintains the same view of neutral status. Secondly, as far as I know, this may somehow affect you in the future. Thirdly, it seems to me that after the Olympics these restrictions will subside, and I hope that we will return to the international arena without a neutral status. Therefore, the realization that, most likely, you will return without a neutral status makes you want not to receive it.
— Evgeniy Somov received an invitation from the IOC to perform at the Olympics in Paris. Do you know him?
— I know him, of course. In 2017, when we came to the Russian Championship, Evgeny Somov was my roommate, because at that time we played for the St. Petersburg team. I know he had a tough time in his life when he quit the sport and then came back with a very unconventional approach to training. After a year and a half, he has reached an excellent level, and I think this is just the beginning.
— Do you understand his decision?
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— Whatever one may say, going to the Olympics is a childhood dream for every athlete. Plus he spent a lot of time abroad, he left in 2019. I think going to Paris is the right decision for him, since he has not been affiliated with Russia for a long time and is on his own.
-Are you on your own? Despite studying in the USA, do you plan to live in Russia?
— Yes, I associate myself with Russia, and the USA is simply my place of study. I come here every Russian championship.
— Also Yulia Efimova tried very hard to get status, have you followed this story?
— Yulia is already an older athlete, she is one of those who will soon end her career, but I, of course, sincerely do not wish this for her. Nevertheless, this story is special for her. Everyone has their own circumstances, and tarring everyone with the same brush is wrong. And Julia is great, and I sincerely want to support her.
«The possible postponement of the Friendship Games is a complete disappointment»
— Are other swimmers from Stanford trying to persuade you to get a neutral status?
— Nobody persuaded me. There was no agitation; on the contrary, everyone understands the whole situation. Many eminent swimmers at competitions in Italy told me that this situation is wrong, that this is all some kind of recklessness and, if they were in our place, they would not go against the country.
— During these two years of suspension, were you offered to change your citizenship?
— I did not receive any such offers. I’m sure that if I took up this issue, there would definitely be proposals, but for me it’s a taboo and I don’t even want to talk about it.
< strong>— Does the possible postponement of the Friendship Games seriously spoil plans?
— This is a complete disappointment, because we were preparing for them . Yes, there is no official information yet, but at the moment we have completely changed our focus to the Russian Cup Final.
— Who will you root for at the Olympics?
— I will look at the results directly. My close friends will perform, I will root for the Belarusians, for example, for Shimanovich.
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