| 2008-01-30 |
Published: The Komsomolskaya Pravda newspaper |
Katyusha is the name of a new Continental cycling team. The CFR Board of Guardians has just made a decision to establish the team. The idea has been in the air for quite a time. It was only now, though, that it was demanded. The question is if the Board of Guardians, established just a few days ago, would be able to implement it, provided that Katyusha was just one of the many Board’s ambitious plans.
Igor Makarov, Deputy Chairman of the CFR Board of Guardians, a world-class athlete, Chairman of the Board of Directors of ITERA Oil and Gas Company (which used to be the CFR General Sponsor for the last eight years), comments on the situation.
- Igor Victorovich, why Katyusha?
- It is Katyusha, because Katyusha is a famous song. I suppose, it is among most recognizable and favorite songs in this country, and anywhere in the world from Japan down to America. Certainly, Katyusha was also the name of a powerful weapon during the Great Patriotic War. It was the winners’ weapon.
- Is the Board of Guardians ready to create conditions necessary for the breakthrough or, is it better to say, for the permanent presence of domestic cycling among the world elite?
- To put it a simple way, should not we agree, that a little bird is content with a little nest? Of course, the Board of Guardians was not established for the form's sake. The Board is made of people who wish and can be involved in practical development of the native cycling. Sergei Chemezov, Head of the Russian Technologies public corporation, chairs the Board. In late 1980ies he was among pioneers forming Alpha Lum, a legendary cycling team composed of the USSR national team-members. In addition to Alexander Gusiatnikov, President of the CFR, Sergei Nikitenko, the World Champion, and Peter Chevardov, the USSR Champion, the Board of Guardians includes: Anatoly Serdukov, Minister of defense of Russia, Valery Vinogradov, Deputy Mayor of Moscow, Andrew Kostin, President-Chairman of the VTB Bank Management Board, Vladimir Artiakov, Governor of Samara Region. Vyacheslav Dudka, Governor of Tula Region, Nikolay Tokarev, President of Transneft, Andrew Akimov, Chairman of the management Board of Gazprombank, Sergei Tarasov, Vice Governor of St. Petersburg, Kirill Seleznev, General director of Mezhregiongaz, Vladimir Yevtushenkov, Head of AFK Sistema, Boris Aleshin, President of AutoVaz Group, Victor Kirjanov, Head of Department of OBDD of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Wasil Anisimov, President of COALCO Group of Companies, Andrew Borodin, President of the Bank of Moscow, Rube Vardanian, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Troika-Dialogue Group of Companies, Herman Gref, President-Chairman of the management Board of Sberbank of the RF, Vladimir Dmitriyev, Chairman of the Bank for Development and Foreign Economic Activity (Vnesheconombank), Sergei Kogogin, General Director of KamAZ, Michael Nagaitsev, Chairman of the Moscow Federation of Trade Unions, Alexander Popov, Chairman of the Management Board of Rosbank. You can see for yourself that these are not just enthusiasts of cycling. These people are the ones, who in fact influence the fate of our state, the ones who the country’s economy relies on. I would like to point out specifically that the government of the country in the person of Alexander Zhukov, Vice-Prime Minister, made a pioneer effort to establish the Board of Guardians. It was Alexander Zhukov, who the President of country instructed to coordinate preparations for the Olympic Games in Sochi. We continuously inform Alexander Dmitrievich on the work progress.
- Is it to say, the Board of Guardians is far from being a tribute to fashion? Can you say what has been done, so far?
- The Board of Guardians has approved of the CFR work related to preparation of a special-purpose integrated program on development of bicycling in 2008 - 2016 (this work is to be completed by July 1, 2008) and preparation of the select bicycling teams to the Olympic games of 2008. To implement this and other plans of scale, a Bicycling Development and Support Fund has been established. I was appointed its President, and Ruben Vardanian, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Troika-Dialogue Group of Companies, was appointed Chairman of its Management Board. The Board of Guardians considered an issue of its members’ financing the adopted programs and approved of the CFR budget for 2008.
- Is this budget to serve an addition to financing bicycling to be provided by the state?
- Yes. It is going to be a substantial budget: it is much bigger now than it was last year. Some money is allocated to Katyusha team, which, believe me, is going to amaze the world by its success in the most prestigious bicycle races. A plan to organize Sochi Tour and a plan to establish a Pro Tour, professional team, to participate in the most important world-class races, such as Tour de France, Giro d’ Italia or Vuelta a Espana, have been considered. A number of other CFR proposals have been supported.
- Would not these vast schemes obstruct the care children need, that is to say children's cycling?
- Everyone understands that all most important victories, figuratively speaking, come from the childhood. It is true with cycling. This issue was among the Board’s priorities. Victories in big sport cannot be achieved, unless children’s sport is well developed. Money has been appropriated. The sums are not small ones. The main thing is that bicycle remains one of the most favorite entertainments for many boys and girls. We have to support and stimulate this interest.
- Good decisions are made and solid budgets are approved. Does the money come from sponsors?
- We have determined the minimal size of a sponsor fees from guardian companies involved in commercial activities. The money is coming to a special bank account for the proper use.
- How does the Board of Guardians coordinate its activities with state authorities?
- We are working together for a common end. Say, there is a lack of roads today where cyclists could have their training sessions, while competitions are prohibited from federal roads. Huge expenses are needed to help improve or develop sound physical infrastructure for children's cycling, for example. It is especially so away from big cities. These problems can be solved only if efforts by the state, the CFR and guardians are united. Victories will be more frequent then.
- Do you, Igor Victorovich, as a recent member of the USSR national team, have a bicycle? On the other hand, may be you have more than one?
- Of course, I do! As you understand, business requires me to keep shape. This is why I have regular training sessions on a racetrack in Krylatskye, and I even find time for training when on a mission somewhere. For me, as a leader of the oil and gas company, to turn pedals is not bravery, but a pleasure.
- No more race temptations?
- World Champions and European Champions work for ITERA. Therefore, we can hardly do without contests. We do have corporate Olympics on an annual basis. We also invite world-cycling stars. In the last race, I was the second after Mario Chipollini in a 25--km lap. I was glad. A bicycle is something you cannot throw off.
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