Azerbaijan's chef de-mission: 35th place a good result for Brachner - INTERVIEW

Baku. 19 February. REPORT.AZ/ Report News Agency presents an interview with Anar Baghirov, Azerbaijan's chef de-mission in the 23rd Winter Olympic Games in South Korea's Pyongyarg: 

- Why did Azerbaijan's only representative in the Olympic Games, Patrick Brachner not participate in giant slalom held on February 18?

- He has more chances in slalom. Therefore, we considered it unnecessary for him to compete in giant slalom.

- But why was he initially announced for participation in both kinds of sport?

- Because with the license he got he could participate in both slalom and giant slalom. However, our athlete is specialized only in slalom. We did not reserve his name in giant slalom. Brachner will try himself in slalom on February 22.

- What is overall state there?

- Everything is alright, the weather has also improved. Temperature is 5-7 below zero. This is the best weather condition for me. We are preparing for the race. The draw will be held on February 21.

- How many trainings did Brachner attend there?

- He has been training every day since the day we arrived. Everyone should participate in the formal training program. In slalom, sportsmen from the leading countries such as France, Austria, China and the United States choose their training hours. Countries with a small number of athletes like Azerbaijan also join them. For example, one day you train with Swedes, the other day with the French.

- Azerbaijan is represented in Pyongyang by one athlete who is a foreigner. What plans does the Mountain Skiing Federation have in terms of training local athletes?

- Azerbaijan is represented by a large team at the Summer Olympics and is gaining successful results. Now we also have the Winter Olympics. Children in Shahdagh and Gabala are engaged in winter sports. There is a plan to grow our athletes in the future. We will gradually see the results. We will have our athletes at the Winter Olympics too. Equipment is important in winter sports. An athlete needs 10-15 years to train for participation, not even for winning a medal in international competitions.

- In which row will Brachner start racing?

- The draw is that the leaders in the rating are starting to compete earlier. Brachner will be about 35 - 45th. The more athletes perform in the race, the worse the snow is. The 30th athlete in this race never comes first. An athlete must take part in various competitions for 10 to 15 years to earn points and progress. That's why there are no young people in this sport. Top-athletes range from 28 to 35 years of age.

- What result do you expect from our athlete? Is the 35th place good for us?

- Yeah. It is a good result to be among the first 40th. Brachner is currently training with strong athletes and shows good results in training. You are expecting someone to fall into this sport to get ahead. There is always a chance.

- Is there any problem with his health?

- Five days ago he felt worse. He did not fall ill, he had a problem with the abdomen. He went to the polyclinic and took a medicine, everything is OK now.

- How many people are there from the Azerbaijani delegation now?

- We are now 3 people. The athlete, team's official representative Hasanaga Rzayev and me. Others have returned home. Here, we are doing our best to prepare our athlete for the race.