The organisation of the First European Games in Baku is being implemented at a such a high level that it exceeds even Olympic standards, Honored Master of Sports of the USSR, Honored Coach of the Soviet Union, Honored Coach of the Russian Federation, Olympic Trampoline Coach, Oleg Zaporozhchenko, told Vestnik Kavkaza. "I have participated in three Olympics and I know whereof I speak," he said.
"I am very pleased that as a coach I visit the First European Games in Baku and that I've seen, heard and learned many things about Azerbaijan," Zaporozhchenko said.
"I've been at three Olympics – Greece, China and the United Kingdom – there were three people in the competitions. And Dmitry Ushakov became the silver medallist of the London Olympics. But it's very difficult to determine our chances at the European Games. We will try to win," he added.
The coach also spoke about the main rivals of the Russian team. "Our main rivals are Belarus, Azerbaijan and Portugal," he noted.
However, Zaporozhchenko complained that fewer children are ready to engage in trampoline sport in Russia.
He believes that the First European Games will help to unite the peoples of Europe. "These events unite the peoples of Europe. We witness athletes and coaches' mutual respect. We are communicating. It is a sign of culture and respect for each other," Oleg Zaporozhchenko concluded.
