In the footsteps of their idols

We are continuing our encounters with the young aspiring athletes from Moscow and Russia. This time we turned to winter sports. Suddenly we realized that Moscow athletes are hard to catch up with because they are constantly away form home at training camps at other cities. It is virtually impossible to interview a young talent. In the end we managed to meet the young skaters from “Moscow Youth” sports club. The young athletes had to withstand a multitude of questions and camera flashes.

ALEXEI EVSTRATOV, prize-winner of the International tournament “Silver Skates”, a member of Moscow city team.

- How did I start skating? Once I watched a film on TV about the great Soviet skater Evgenii Grishin. It was then and there that I realized it was my kind of sports. One thing that impressed me about Grishin was that he was also a great cyclist and appeared within the USSR national cycling team.
I like to take walks and especially favor Victory Park. My favorite month of the year is May. I am fond of photography. I am going in for extreme sports such as BMX and skateboard. I always try to keep a smile on my face. This is my motto!

It is my dream to appear at the Olympics within the Russian national team. I am doing my best for it to come true.

OLGA SHIBANOVA, member of the Moscow city team.

- I started skating after I watched Svetlana Zhurova's performance at Turin Olympics on TV. She outdid them all at 500 meters! She is my idol in sports and in life.
I like rap music. I go in for swimming. I am fond of shopping. Sometimes, when I have spare time I like to watch Anime cartoons. I usually take walks at Victory Park, it is so beautiful there!

My motto: “We are the champions!” It helps me and charges me with energy in difficult moments during competitions.


ARTEM GRUSHETSKY: winner and prize winner of Moscow tournaments, prize winner of “Silver Skates” tournament.

- My idol is Ivan Skobrev, he is obviously the leader of our national team. Speaking of the past, I admire Valery Muratov, the 15-fold world record holder, who was also a sprinter like myself.

I like to skate in “Krylatskoe” sport complex. The skates seem to carry me to the finishing line there. I also like to play football at “Medic” stadium. We often play football with my friends, they say I am quite good at it.

It is my dream to set new record and make it to the Olympics!

Interviews by Yan Bogdanovich
Photos: Evgeny Kubedinov