the main problems were always with our sports system. Look at the United States. They have a comprehen­sive system of athletics from primary school to the professional level. And if their professional athletes are really good, they can do very well financially.

In the old European communist countries, the system was even more organized. When athletes were selected for a team, they and their families were given better housing, and sometimes even automobiles. And if they repre­sented their country in international competition, their social status improved dramatically. That's why parents in the communist countries begged coaches to train their children. Thus, it's the system that attracts people to devote themselves to sports. But here, there is nothing similar to either of these systems, so how can we expect our athletes to be exceptional?