World Sport News

At the recently concluded European Championships in Kazan, the correspondent “SE” and the conversation had met a living legend of world sport – three-time Olympic champion and author of 46 world records, who knew no defeat for nearly his entire career.

you several times left the sport and stage, and then come back. Why?

– The first time I broke performances against their will. The decision to go to Turkey, caused me to miss a year. However, then I did not interrupt training. After the Olympics in Seoul, interrupted his career because of back problems – she demanded the rest. Two years had to spend on treatment.

– That's why the third time you're back on the eve of the Athens Olympics?

– No, not so. Sports, of course, was everything to me, life itself, but then I thought well, if you have a chance to win a fourth Olympic gold, then why not try to use it?

– then you have ordered a record weight in the snatch, but have not been able to raise the bar, weighing 145 kg.

– I can not blame myself for the attempt. I did everything I could, but the bar was stronger. After that you can safely leave to rest for good.

– In your time of female weightlifters did not exist.

– but now it is. And if she wants to argue with a barbell, it is her right, her choice. You can not ban something that people seek.

– And what is your relationship to the emergence of women's weightlifting?

– If they like it – so be it. But for me personally it's disagreeable.

Full interview