WHO OWES WHOM AND WHO NEEDS WHO

The fourth international President's Cup regatta in boat racing, rowing and canoeing was organized in Azerbaijan, at the Mingacevir Olympic Training and Kur Sports Centre.

More than 100 sportsmen from Azerbaijan, Russia, Ukraine and Georgia took part in the event.  Azerbaijan and Georgia were represented in all three disciplines, Russia - in boat racing, and Ukraine - in rowing and canoeing.

President of the International Canoeing Federation Jose Perurena Lopez, ICF expert Csaba Szanto and European Canoeing Association President Albert Woods arrived to observe the event.

At a reception by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, ICF President Jose Perurena Lopez discussed the advantages which the newly remodelled Mingacevir centre might provide for international events in the discipline.  During the press conference on the eve of the regatta opening, Lopez described the Kur centre as 'fantastic'.  In the first years of Azerbaijan's independence, the Kur rowing centre, which was once considered the best in the USSR, was virtually completely destroyed.

Jose Perurena Lopez kindly agreed to share his impressions of the visit and assessments of the prospects for the development of rowing sports in Azerbaijan before his departure from Baku.

-Thank you for accommodating our request for an interview, Mr Perurena.  We would like to know what your impressions are as you leave Azerbaijan.

-First, I have to say that this was my first visit to your country. But I have heard about Azerbaijan many times before. I was told that various prestigious tournaments are organized in Baku every year. I wanted to see all that for myself. So, on the invitation of the Azerbaijan Canoeing Federation, I visited your country to watch the regatta in Mingacevir and to hold a number of important talks. I have to say that the visit turned out to be interesting and fruitful. I hail the work which has been done in Azerbaijan to develop the discipline.  I think that thanks to this work, it will be possible to achieve great results in the future.

-What else have you learned about the development of sports in Azerbaijan?

-I have learned that great attention is paid in your country to Olympic disciplines. Rowing is also on the rise.  After all, by becoming world and European champion, Demyanenko has put Azerbaijan on the map once and for all in our discipline. I was told that martial arts are very popular in Azerbaijan. To all appearances, rowing too will move to the forefront in the future.  I can sense that great attention is given to sports and sportsmen by the state here.

-Which particular disciplines do you mean?

-Judo, wrestling and other martial disciplines. I can see that wrestling is particularly popular here. Victories at world and continental championships also increase the number of fans. In general, this is true for all disciplines. Unless there are results, the fans feel resentful, and the more victories are won, the more supporters the discipline has.

-What needs to be accomplished, in your view, to make canoeing and rowing popular in Azerbaijan?

-The first steps have already been taken. Your results please everyone. There is an excellent training base in Mingacevir. In addition, I was told that several clubs will be created in Baku in the near future.  So, you just have to maintain the pace. Holding some international events might also contribute to the development of this discipline.

-Do you think that Azerbaijan has prospects of organizing world or European championships in rowing, canoeing or boat racing?

-As far as I know, you organize at least one European championship in some discipline every year. This year, you will host the world boxing championship.  This means that your country has accumulated broad experience in organizing major tournaments.  In my view, there are no problems in this respect - Azerbaijan can host any prestigious event.

-You have heard perhaps that Azerbaijan was among the candidates to host the Summer Olympics of 2016?..

-You know, hosting the Olympic Games is a very difficult task, as is winning the competition to host them.  But the very fact of nomination shows that your sights are high.

-Yes, great importance is attached to the Olympic Games in Azerbaijan.  And what is your view of our rowers' chances?

-To begin with, you have to win Olympic qualification, and then you can start thinking about medals.  Qualifying tournaments are coming up and your sportsmen's chances are not bad.  In particular, you can pin hopes on Valentin Demyanenko.  But in sport, no one can predict who will be the champion.

-So, Demyanenko's recent results make it possible to hope for a good performance at the London Olympics in 2012?

-Indeed, 2010 was very successful for him.  But there are two more years until the Olympic Games, and staying in shape is no mean task. The best of the best vie for Olympic medals - the games identify the champion of champions.  Of course, if Demyanenko qualifies for London, he will be considered a strong candidate for an Olympic medal. But no one can predict the results. The one thing I am certain of is that if you win an Olympic medal in rowing, youth will take interest in the discipline. And that is worth fighting for.

-Thank you for your interview.

-Thank you too, and good luck.