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His career and his work

Gredlerlu: Did you also practice biathlon in former times? Or maybe cross county?
boris_rus: Valery, were you a biathlete yourself when you where young?
V_Polchov: I didn't do biathlon myself, only cross country. I started as a cross country coach and was quite successful. Then I was asked if I wanted to take my whole cross country training group to biathlon and I did. My first successful athlete was Sergei Bolygin.
I started when I was 21 in a village about 100km from Novosibirsk. After four years in the province, I started working as a biathlon coach in Novosibirsk - with the group I brought with me. I only became head coach of the national team in 2003.

Sibiria: How are the athletes for the national team picked out?
V_Polchov: We have a special system in Russia. The criteria are based on physical abilities.
There is a rating system, too, and we also look at the results of national and regional competitions.

Gredlerlu: Are you content with young Russian talents? Can we expect new ?stars¦ in the next years?
V_Polchov: We have worked very intensively at bringing more young talents to the World Cup, just think of athletes like Tchoudov and Tcherezov.

The Russian team in Hochfilzen

Timmy: Please, tell us about the chances for Nikolai Krouglov to start in the Relay. What's his speed condition today?
V_Polchov: Kruglov is a very good biathlete and has a high sense of responsiblity, but he isn't sure if he can handle the pressure in the relay. We're not quite sure about our team yet.

Bizzy: What happened to Sergei Rozhkov?
Gaucho: Can you say something about his condition?
V_Polchov: Rozhkov could have done better, but he suffered from some self-doubt. He will have some more opportunities, though.

Yurta: They say that Sergei Tchepikov is tired. Is that true? Isn't he the best in Russia-s men's team?
V_Polchov: Tchepikov is a little tired, but he will be back in full strength for the Individual. He has enough time to rest.

Other teams and athletes in Hochfilzen

Timmy: How do you estimate the chances of the Norwegian women in the Relay, taking into account their weak form?
Mermaid: What do you think about our chances in men's relay? What will be our aim?
V_Polchov: It will be very close between NOR, GER and RUS in both races. But the strongest team will win.

Wilhelmin: What-s your opinion of the mixed relay?
KMike: What do you think about mixed relay?
V_Polchov: That will be a very interesting competition and I think that is has a bright future. We might see it as early as in the next Olympic Games.

Emili: How do you explain extraordinary results of Ole Einar Bjoerndalen?
V_Polchov: Bjoerndalen is certainly an outstanding athlete and he really deserves to be so successful. He is a great role model as well, working so hard for his success.

His Athletes

Ivane: How significant is this season-s overall World Cup for Olga Pyleva? Is it one of her top aims?
V_Polchov: The yellow jersey is very important for Pyleva, just like for everyone else. Bailly and Wilhelm will try to get it back, but I hope and think that Pyleva can keep it until the end.

Goroh: Does Olga Pyleva seriously consider quitting after the Olympics? Is that a certain or an uncertain decision? What reasons does it depend on? Please tell her that we are too much confident in her to just let her go!
V_Polchov: I know that Pyleva is thinking about quitting, but I hope that she will continue a bit longer, yet.

Ali: Who persuaded Sergei Tchepikov to come back to the biathlon? You or Alexandr Tikhonov?
V_Polchov: Tikhonov had a more important role in bringing Tchepikov back. It was his initiative. We were in Ekaterinburg at a competition and met him there. We asked him if he wanted to return and he agreed.

Gredlerlu: How do you see the course of the season up to now (regarding the Russian team)?
V_Polchov: The season has been very good so far. I was very happy for Sergei Tchepikov. We haven't had a medal in the men's division for a while.

His methods

Gredlerlu: Are there training exercises the athletes favor or boycott?
Gredlerlu: Which methods do you use in practice (shooting and running)?
V_Polchov: I think I expect a lot from my athletes, but the working atmosphere is very good. We decide on the training plan together, there aren't usually any arguments.
In the end, though, the coaches decide what needs to be done.
V_Polchov: We train about 5-6 hours each day. Today wasn't very intense, though. It is usually very individual - we have to work on individual problems, after all, but we don't have enough time sometimes to take care of everything.

Mermaid: What do you tell our girls and guys when they lose? Are they usually very upset?
V_Polchov: I am always pleased with my athletes if they try their best. When they don't do well, some of the blame should also be on the coaches, because then they might not have worked well enough, too.

Ali: Did you receive a plan or order to take a certain number of medals in Torino from the Russian Olympic Committee or from the biathlon federation?
V_Polchov: (laughing) We don't have a 5-year plan for medals, or something like that.

Gredlerlu: Is the preparation for Olympic Games different from that for the World Cup or World Championships?
V_Polchov: The Olympics are special, of course, and the preparations will be special as well.

Ali: Some teams, for example Norway, have combined trainings and camps with cross-country skiers. Don't you want to have such practice in Russian biathlon team?
V_Polchov: Olga Zaitseva and Anna Bogaliy took part in a 50 km cross country race last year. It is probably a good idea to try something else sometimes.

The importance of biathlon in Russia

Gredlerlu: How is the value of biathlon in Russian TV?
V_Polchov: I know that President Vladimir Putin watches biathlon, that might be a hint at it's popularity. We have a sports channel that shows the races live, and a lot of repetitions as well. Many Russians are quite bored when there is no biathlon on TV.

PblCb: Do you feel the support of Russian fans? Is it important to sportsmen? Do you like to chat with biathlon fans?
V_Polchov: The Russian fans are the best in the World. The atmosphere in Novosibirsk at the European Championships was especially nice. The chat is a nice possibility for me to tell you some things about the Russian team. I really don't mind and I like the opportunity.


PblCb: Valerij Nokolaevich, Thank you very much!! It was great!! Good luck! I think we will see you here soon! Thank you for your work!!
Girlofina: Valeriy Nikolaevich, thank you very much for all you do to make the Russian team one of the best in the world! GREAT JOB!!!
Wilhelmin: Thank you very much for giving us this opportunity! It is a real pleasure! Good luck!
Ali: Thanks a lot, Valery Nikolaevich. Good luck to you and your team
Yurta: Thank you a lot!!!