Various News

http://www.rg.ru/2009/07/03/koroli.html
3.7.2009. by Nikolai Dolgopolov (Vice-President of the International Association of Sports Media)

Proceedings of kings

Pride of Russia - Lydia Skoblikova and Evgeni Plushenko officially attached canonized great



Winner of six Olympic Games Lidia Skoblikova, gold medalist 2006 Olympic Games in Turin Evgeni Plushenko, and 16 celebrities, named as "legends" of White games.

How to choose the greatest

Tiny town of Cortona is famous for one: it is settled "International Fair Play Committee Mecenate", who has 13 years awards celebrated athletes, who have shown over the career and skill, and athletic nobility.

On call of the AIPS, to the committee I go and myself. Back in January, before me, and before a dozen members of the jury, have a task: to name one of the best Olympians of each Olympics, beginning with the Games in Cortina d' Ampezzo 1956, to Turin 2006. And, of course, in my application were the names of speed skaters Evgeni Grishin and Lydia Skoblikova, hockey players Vladislav Tretiak and Vyacheslav Fetisov, figure skaters Irina Rodnina and Evgeni Plushenko, skier Galina Kulakova and Raisa Smetanina ...

Alas, jury, the absolute majority of whom are, of course, hosts, Italians, chose mostly his. Particular preference is given to skiers. After all, the rest of the winter disciplines in Italy and not so popular. Because that, success of our great Lydia Skoblikovaya and Evgeni Plushenko is already something. Even in the downhill racing lovers, could not fail to note, stunning achievements of Lydia Pavlovna Skoblikovaya, which won 6 gold medals - two in Squaw Valley and four from four, in Innsbruck. To Zhenya Plushenko was easier, because after the victory in Turin, he is the universal favorite here. Fight for this beautiful couple, I was more simple than, for example, for not recognized Apennines hockey.

How to prepare a feast

We correspond with the president of Andyello Morelli over e-mail's, five months in a row. I have received and air tickets, and the program. Offered down the path of Lydia Pavlovna, celebrated in March 70 birthday. She agreed, but Zhenya was certainly busy. After all, he is back, and accurately, to a amateur sport are not yet up to festivities.

It was curious to me, who have persuaded the organizers to come to his tiny abode, all scattered over the mountain commune of about 20 thousand inhabitants. However, chosen, invited and persuaded. Super-popular Austrian Toni Sailer, the first winner in the ski, three gold medals, represented by White games '56 in Cortina d' Ampezzo. Another skiing - old man, a Frenchman Jean Vuarnet, the ceremony was delivered almost on his hands, and goes for only with the help of special devices. But although he limp, it is did come. Dressed in an elegant suit was Lydia Skoblikova, Innsbruck '64 ... Skier from Liechtenstein, Hanni Wenzel - Lake Placid '80. Is well known, but is not clear, why she ahead triple Olympic champion Irina Rodnina - German figure skater Katarina Witt - Calgary '88. Speed skater from Berlin, Claudia Pechstein - Nagano '98. Ole Einar Bjoerndalen - Salt Lake City 2002. But still, come for a few hours, Plushenko - Torino 2006.

These are assembled in the unknown town of Cortona, glorious names. The crisis, shortage of funds, cancellation of major tournaments, reduction of all things, and in Cortona, triumph with huge costs. But how good are the organizers! They have no major sponsors, than small and medium-size - more than 40. Search for money, gifts from the tap throughout the province, to invest, but who could, and collected a host of champions.

An hour before the start of the ceremony, held near the church of St. Margaret, built in 1525, or at the heels of years earlier, in the olive garden, feeding the guests. Suddenly, the garden began to fill with people. This is an evening for two to three hours of sport celebrities attended. They even before the gifts were given, or if you want, souvenirs. Who - a thick chain from the local jeweler, who - leather purse. Little, but pleasant. In a garden full of Italian and German military, in a gray dress form ... We met with Lydia Pavlovna, officer of Tax Service. Sweet blonde is presented as a lieutenant. It turned out, that a lot of the existing Italian athletes, such as skiers, serving in the army. And our new friend - not just a tax service officer, he's also known skier - champion Denise Carbon, whose generous compatriots also awarded with the prize as "Legends of Sport". Denise introduced us to brother and sister Manuela and Manfred Moelgg. "Kings Mountain trails", too, have diligently military service, as well, and bobsleighter, two-time winner of the Games, Armin Zoeggler. All the officers, Italians, who were awarded prizes only the highest ranks of their army, are satisfied. Served is good, easy to train: no one prevents. "As well, as in your country" - said Manfred Moelgg.

And I did not tell to friendly young army-skiers, that we have with the club CSKA - something incomprehensible. The Italians are taking with us an example, using proven experience , but we dismantle what we have, and that has long thought itself.

Mo-lod-tci!

I never could suppose, that one day I award with diploma to Lydia Pavlovna Skoblikovaya's. Like a boy, I saw "Ural zipper" on the ice. Cheering for her, whose success in the speed skating for a decade does not repeat, none of Russians. Lidiya Pavlovna kept decently. On questions, gladly answered.

But with Zhenya Plushenko's - different story. On monday morning, the day before departure to Italy, I accidentally collided with him and his bride Yana at the airport. Kisses, quickly talked about training and camps, set the meeting date - August, city of St. Petersburg. And Evgeni rushed to the plane: fly away because of some job for Stockholm (Oriflame ?), and immediately from there - right in the camp's. And suddenly - bang, a meeting at a tiny area of Cortona.

- "Well, such was the agreement, so they asked me", - explained to me Zhenya. - "Right, it was awkward to refuse. And I and Yana, with changes and planting delays in the docking, but flew from Stockholm to Italy, came here. After four hours - back to Stockholm."

Award "Legends of Sport", Plushenko received under the roar of the crowd. Joked, but, more importantly, promised: "I am coming back again, and I want to win the Olympics."

At the closing ceremony, Evgeni to get through the ranks of champions to Lydia Pavlovna Skoblikovaya. He said it: "Should be together with my people."
Also symbols - brilliant Skoblikova, and returning to the sport, Plushenko.
As a relay - that would only bring her success, in February 2010 on the Olympic Vancouver.