On a photo: The head of Bosco di Ciliegi group of companies Mikhail Kusnirovich (at the left) and the triple Olympic champion in Greco-Roman wrestling Aleksandr Karelin on action "Day of Ukraine" in corporate house "Bosko" in Morvokzal's building within the XXII winter Olympic Games in Sochi.

Aleksandr Karelin: "I - part of hospitality"

Legend of world sports, the 3-fold Olympic champion and the 9-fold world champion in Greco-Roman wrestling Aleksandr Karelin was one of torch carriers at stadium "Fisht" during Olympic Games-2014 opening.

— Alexander, compare emotions when came to the Olympic stadium as the athlete, and now as the torch carrier.

— Certainly, I worried more. I only shortly before the opening ceremony learned that to me such honor huge will drop out. Only one rehearsal was.

— What your role in Sochi-2014?

— I am part of that hospitality which Russia organized for the whole world. We want that everything here it was comfortable. Also it is the speech not about weather and those opportunities which the Black Sea coast gives. Namely about the atmosphere. That in "Bosko house" where added remarkable Ukrainian color is felt today. All melted. There are no borders, there are no contradictions and a momentary environment. And it is transferred to all. It is necessary to tell gratitude words to inhabitants of Sochi who four years lived on building. But it is now felt that the universal holiday here occurs.

— Whether long ago joined winter sports?

— I am a resident of Novosibirsk. And the most titled biathlonist of the last century — Alexander Tikhonov — from Novosibirsk. It from "Dynamo", as well as I. So long ago I watch biathlon. As well as behind hockey, and figure skating. Well and it is interesting to look at modern sports — snowboarding, freestyle.

— In Russia say that the main thing — to win "gold" in hockey, the rest isn't so important.

— I don't agree with it. You shouldn't overload guys. Also it is necessary to appreciate all athletes. In each look the medal is expensive and important. It is necessary to fight always. It tempers. Participation in the honest competition gives force. "All life — fight" — it not only Vladimir Ilyich spoke, but also to him was told.

Author: Lukanyuk Lyubomir

on Segodnya newspaper materials