Russia’s short-track speed skaters showed they have the mentality to win at the recent world championships in Shanghai, despite finishing without any medals, Alexey Kravtsov, president of the Russian Skating Union, told RIA Novosti on Sunday.
Russia traditionally specializes in the long-track form of the sport, and has never won a short-track Olympic medal, but has signaled its intent to improve by recruiting triple Olympic gold medalist Ahn Hyun-Soo in preparation for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.
“The most important result is that we saw for the first time how our guys fought at the world championships and weren’t frightened of fighting with the Korean and Canadian athletes and the acknowledged leaders of short-track, the Chinese,” Kravtsov said.
“Our team’s mentality is changing in a big way, the approach is changing. Everyone expects that we will progress.”
Kravtsov’s praised Olga Belyakova, who finished fourth in the women’s 1,500-meter final and came eighth in the overall women’s standings.
“There were both good moments and certain disappointments. A good moment was that our guys were skating in the finals of the world championships on the first day.”
“Olga Belyakova got fourth place in the 1,500-meter distance. That’s the first time in our history.”
Ahn Hyun-Soo, who competes as Viktor Ahn since switching allegiances from his native South Korea last year, was in Russia’s 5,000-meter men’s relay team but did not compete in any other events. Kravtsov said this was a tactical decision.
“Ahn took part in the relay very well. We just decided not to take risks. Viktor Ahn’s already accumulated good enough form.”
Russia will progress rapidly over the next year, Kravtsov said.
“We expect that next season we will compete much more strongly. Moreover, we’re preparing a number of innovations in the coaching staff for next season.”
Russia has a long history in long-track speed skating, and won a silver and bronze medal at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.
