The 34-year-old Olympic champion of Athens in weight to 84 kg is again in an excellent form. In the recent European championship in Tbilisi the most skilled athlete of Russian national team a skating rink walked on rivals that at present automatically made him one of favourites … Olympic Games in Rio!

– Probably, I yet didn't gain optimum standards, – there began Alexey the story about the European championship where for all tournament I conceded only one period. – However it was the fourth start for the fourth month – and I, in general, with everything is happy. I feel the 24-year-old guy. Besides in the current season rules a little exchanged. And they were pleasant to me more, than previous. Wrestling slowly finds the person.

– On Olympic Games in London you weren't selected. Long puzzled – whether it is worth continuing career?

– Last year some circumstances which have affected my preparation for Games took place. But everything managed. Having understood that I don't get to London, took a three-months break. Then talked to the trainer and decided to prepare for Poddubny's tournament

– One of main objectives of continuation of career you called a gain of the second WC gold. So, you are waited by the real wrestling against victor Igr-2012 Alan Khugayev for the only place as a part of the national team …

–  I just became the sixfold champion of Europe, and now it would be desirable to tighten the indicators on superiority of the world.

– Time you now again win, whether truly to assume, what an ultimate goal – Rio-2016?

– I am not ready to tell yet for certain. The Olympic cycle hardly started, and on the agenda other tournaments. Tell me who about ten years ago that I will begin to prepare for Games in Rio, – wouldn't believe. Ahead three more years – also aren't known, whether there will be by then a desire, a form and health.

– And to you in general examples when the wrestler productively acted on the Olympic Games in 37 years are known?

–  The well-known heavyweight Anatoly Roschin debuted on Games in 32, and long-awaited gold won in Munich-1972 when to it was 40.  It, however, happened very long time ago.  As a whole at all doesn't play a role, 33 you or, let us assume, 36.  Especially if you are in a fine physical form.  The main thing – not to grow old soul.

– THAT there was the first large tournament after publication an IOC of the notorious recommendation. Among the athletes who have arrived to Tbilisi nervousness was felt?

– Everything was normal. Athletes almost didn't touch upon this subject.

– Some known wrestlers in the past surprised the world with the decision to hand over the Olympic medals in the IOC. There was no thought to follow their example?

– If it is necessary, I am ready to give a gold medal of the European championship – because them at me six (laughs). And, speaking seriously if my gold of Athens really could help with the solution of a question, I, of course, would take this step. On the one hand, I won it in the hardest wrestling, with another – it is necessary to achieve that the same chance was available and for thousand boys only beginning the way in big-time sports.

– Not you, and 22-year-old Roman Vlasov were the captain of Russian national team in Tbilisi. Didn't strike on vanity?

– No – Rum after all it was chosen the unanimous decision. Kapitanstvo is a huge responsibility: it is necessary to talk and discuss with all a number of questions. In due time I was the captain therefore Rum addressed for council.

Sport Express, 01.04.2013

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