Alexander Zhukov gives Olympic lesson in Kazan

Russia State Duma deputy chairman and Russian Olympic Committee president, Alexander Zhukov, on Wednesday held an Olympic lesson in the education centre No 178 in Kazan.

The three-time Olympic champion in synchronised swimming, Maria Kiseleva, and London Olympics silver winner in fencing, Kazan-born Kamilla Gafurzyanova, met with the students as well. Kamilla Gafurzyanova held the Olympic exercise, specifically coming to do it from a training session in Novogorsk.

“I used to be a bit lazy and not do my morning exercise. A couple of years ago I decided I should seriously improve myself and added a three-minute daily practice. Maybe it is the three minutes a day that later allowed me my achievements,” the fencer said and demonstrated some elements.

“In fact, to win an Olympic medal, one should practise 8-10 hours a day, but you still ought to do the morning exercise,” A. Zhukov added. About 10.5 thousand athletes from 204 countries had taken part in the London Olympics, he went on to say. The Russian team had performed very well, winning 82 medals, including 24 gold ones. A video with the most memorable moments of the 2012 Olympics was then shown.

A.Zhukov went on to talk about the Olympic Games, in 2014 to be hosted by Sochi. The games will take place on 7-23 February and involve about 5.5 thousand athletes from 80 countries. About 3 billion would watch the games, he added.

The Olympic spirit was something quite special, Maria Kiseleva said.

“I won my first Olympic medal after I held Alexander Karelin’s hand following him winning an Olympic gold,” she said.

The upcoming Universiade was brought up during the lesson as well. “Leading student athletes from across the world will come to Kazan. You are happy people, to be going to live in this and take part in this,” Kiseleva noted. “I am sure Universiade in Kazan will be held excellently. All the venues will after the games be used for your benefit.”