Is Russia's fourth place at the London Olympics still a failure or a reason for pride? I had good impressions from the Olympics, because we entered the top five strongest teams in the world and received more medals than at the previous summer games in Beijing.
We should rejoice at the results that we have now achieved in Great Britain, given that our country has been taking shape for 20 years – the economy, democracy, and political regime.
But organizational conclusions definitely need to be drawn, because the sports management system in Russia is outdated. All we have is the talent of our athletes. And if we apply more organizational resources, if we again create a wide network of children’s sports schools, sections everywhere in the place of residence and we hold more competitions, then we will achieve enormous success.
Fundamental personnel changes are needed in the leadership of the country's sports organizations. This cannot be put off. It is imperative to replace all heads of all federations of our sport. We don't even know these people. Here is the Russian Football Union, we already have a candidate - Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Igor Lebedev.
If we give more space to the opposition and less to officials, we will achieve success at all the upcoming World and European Championships, and most importantly, at the next Summer Olympics. And at the Winter Olympics we will be able to compensate in full; we host them and therefore must take first place.