Olympic champion Michael Nestruev — about why it is worth to shoot
In the program of Olympic games includes a dozen types of shooting sports, the first Olympic medals in this sport were played at the very first modern Games in 1896 in Athens. Ahead of the Olympics in Rio “Tape.<url>” I met and talked with the famous Russian pistol shooter, Olympic champion Athens 2004, a five-time world champion Michael Nestruev.
“Ribbon.<url>: Michael, how did you get into shooting sports?
Michael Nestruev: I was born and raised on the outskirts of Moscow. The place is beautiful, but in the years of my youth were rowdy. Work areas, the power in the first place from the boys, the constant game of tag. For games we did a variety of “shooters”. Shooting bullets of clay, water, wire, beads and the like. I tried to vandalize from the window of his father’s air rifle, and when he hid somewhere, then decided to get acquainted with guns, shooting real bullets, and came to the sports section of rifle shooting MGS DSO “Spartak”. It was in 1982. Dash was engaged in a mixed-age group, with me, 13-year-old kid, on the firing line were men and women 20-30 years old. Came to shoot and those over 70. Mastering the rifle at the level of the first category, moved to the gun. In parallel worked in the section sports ski, I was offered to move to biathlon, but I because of a foot injury refused.
My first medal — Spartak. After six months of classes, I conquered it. Remember, she was huge, 100 mm, with the number “1” in the middle and the emblem of “Spartacus.” He came to school, I proudly showed her: “This is my medal! I won!”
In the process of skills development arose the desire to compete and to win, a desire that spurred our whole Spartak team and, most importantly, the coach. A lot depends on the team, his support, assistance, desire to teach, pride in sports achievements in any team. When all around you say about the achievements, medals, awards how about your life goals, you know that it is also your goal — your participation in the team and win!
During my childhood there were many shooting galleries in all schools, in all sports organizations, theaters, parks. In the shooting competition was attended by many, and were separate competitions taxi drivers, caterers, representatives of trade… Then each student was required to pass the test in GTO shooting, but the lessons of NVP carefully taught to handle weapons, to disassemble the machine and so on. Both boys and girls equally. It was the state mobilization program. Correct, it should be noted. Weapon handling gives a sense of responsibility for their actions, caution, and thanks to the team and mentors you don’t feel alone in this world. Then is born the interest in the sport.
What do you mean the first medal?
First medal — a dream come true. The second and subsequent — the result of their work. On the second medal, I was already consciously. Before a competition is usually exhibited on public display on the medals, that was the motivation, so that people can see what you’re fighting for. I remember one of our first trips to Europe, in 1984, the main prize in the competition was a scooter. So I then won all the exercises, all with records. However, the scooter I then not allowed to take home, had problems with smuggling across the border, but the fact!
In 1984, in the program of Olympic games introduced the firing of air pistols and rifles. And I set a goal to win and to make a living, to become an Olympic champion, to have all the titles and regalia in this sport. And achieved it. Not on the first attempt, even with a long break for service in the army. Now I am a multiple time champion, Olympic champion, and it needs constantly to win — and not one, but a series of competitions. I win, because I know how to do it.
In one interview you said that the gun was chosen under the influence of the films of those years and the entourage — this weapon can be effectively twist on the finger, to snatch out of the holster. Yes, even if in a leather jacket…
Yes, remember the movie “property of the Republic”? Solid leather jacket was a serious argument. But not only that. My mentor Vladlen I. Abramovich, who then trained me for many years, until his death, then reviewed with me all of the options we consulted. And he suggested to try something newer and more interesting than the rifle. We tried it and it has paid off.
In addition to the mentor, who still needed the athletic-arrow? Who supports, who helps him?
On some level, no one. Athletes are selfish, wishing success for ourselves. Of course, in shooting sports can not do without weapons, so, important manufacturers, armourers, which adapts the weapon for a specific arrow. But I can do it myself. I understand that I need the weapon to change something, to achieve more complete contact with him. The charge creates a comfortable environment for training. Judges in the competition are people too, tired, wrong — now introduce electronic targets, to make it clearer to lead mechanical control and counting. The family creates emotional background, is important, but not necessary.
Before the production of weapons was tied to the state, this stimulated the industry. Designers tried, invented, tested new weapons along with the athletes. It was intended for General pride and for the weapons and the records of the country. Now the first question: “Who? Who do?” Single orders unprofitable businesses, they are focused on a large series of military orders. I know because I tried to do this, private production was in charge of the plant “Ataman”.
Why do you think that shooting sports have ceased to be mass?
Patient question. First, Russian legislation. The law on weapons does not stimulate to go in the sport. Sports programs are greatly reduced. The number of galleries has decreased significantly, and under the street of Fira rework even decommissioned trolleybuses. According to the interior Ministry, real full of shooting galleries and shooting ranges in Russia, only about 180. Weapon licenses are issued mainly to hunters. This is a separate topic of conversation.
Then, for example, in law enforcement agencies trained in weapons in terms of tasks and all. But even there, reduced the number of galleries for trainings and hours of training. Prior to 2000, we conducted a joint country Championships from his service weapon, and then “power unit” was badly divided. In Solnechnogorsk created a school for snipers, they have their own competitions, now they went to the championship in Krasnodar. MVD, FSB, FSO, and others — but sometimes when you want a high score, the prize of the team, me and my colleagues “the classics” invite.
Now you train the youth, lead children’s section? Still, the possible resurgence of shooting sports in Russia?
I have grow up around kids, I see that they socializers, want to do something, to communicate… And they offer computer games and cartoons. At some point the child begins to think that he is one. And if your man is one — he builds a model invented by himself, based on what he sees and hears around, in books, movies. The child definitely needs someone, he’s looking for someone who would let him know that interests can be a lot that he is not alone, that there is a joint case, that is, those who can teach him how to satisfy their interests.
Getting shooting skills from childhood — it’s not just education, it’s education, sports and fitness process, the military-Patriotic education, finally.
And how the situation in the international arena with guns?
Different. Depends on the gun law in each country. In Europe the number of licenses issued for weapons depends on the availability and hunting area in a specific region, depends on the hunting society. A man comes to the police, he says, why would he need a weapon, looking at a reserve, and if he is, then from a man only needed a confirmation letter to the companies and the money for the purchase and maintenance of weapons. Same thing with sports is there any sports facilities that allow for training, are there places and conditions and things. With a collection of weapons even easier, there is storage and license, with the right of demonstration shooting.
People come together in community. Collectors, in addition to the collections, increasing their scientific potential — ideas, knowledge, development, the history of the development of private arms companies, conduct joint exhibitions, auctions. In addition to hunting, sport and collecting, there is still a community of ex-military who want periodically to train, not to lose the skills. Community choose their areas or create them based on their resources, reach consensus with the government, pursuant to legislation about weapons, about the safety and privacy of citizens (for example, shooting a certain caliber can interfere with loud sound citizens). The state issues licenses, strictly controlling the quantity and quality of shooting galleries and shooting ranges, the number of gun owners, and their quality is such control from the state.
In Russia is anarchy and distortions, there is no right of state regulation. The idea that a small number of registered gun owners is well, incorrect. And how much of it goes to criminal circles unregistered?
What is your shooting sports?
Sport is the satisfaction of their ambitions and interests, spend time together, demonstrate knowledge, identifying best (champion), based on the rules. Shooting sports — this is serious, it is difficult, it requires changes in the nature. With constant sports person is reborn. Degenerates into a responsible citizen of his homeland. He becomes loyal to the rules and the other requires their execution. If competently to prescribe the regulations of the shooting sport, it will allow to engage in any age group, without gender division. Shooting sports not depend on the age of the participants. Sport is voluntary, it’s my interest. Small skill of the citizens to the state is an important resource mobilization.
Shooting sports requires an investment of money, so he still may not be massive?
Guns and shooting sports will never be available to everyone, but it is accessible to everyone who will feel the interest, need, decide, and do so to their interest to implement. And it always has been.
Mass shooting sport can be done back shooting ranges in parks — usually with a light pneumatic or electronic weapons, now this lot. The desired regulation performance of sports standards, certified “scoring” target, or, when executed, to present a certificate, badge, bonus. In the on-line mode in the prescribed period to conduct a “General championship of Russia on shooting” on the basis of scanned targets, or the results files to determine the winners in various age groups and so on.
Need to change the attitude to guns as a risk factor. The same car — a vehicle with more than weapons, risk to themselves, others, the environment. The man who owns the shooting skill, very careful in applying this skill.
