Today at one of the objects of the Volga region Academy - in the Center of rowing sports, a sports festival was held, which the Federation of rowing and Canoeing of Tatarstan devoted to the 74th anniversary of victory in the great Patriotic war. The athletes of the national team took part in the training starts, including on the boats "Dragon". The participants of the event were welcomed by the President of the Federation, Minister of ecology and natural resources of Tatarstan Alexander Shadrikov, and a pleasant surprise was waiting for the winners at the award ceremony. Medals and diplomas were awarded to distinguished veterans of the war, master of sports of the USSR in rowing and Canoeing and cross-country skiing, one of the sports elders of Tatarstan, 93-year-old Alexander Pavlov.
Alexander Sergeevich is a legend of Tatarstan rowing. In 1943, 17-year-old Alexander Pavlov, from the beginning of the war worked on the arable land in his native Tolmachi in the highlands region, was called to the front, served in aviation, preparing aircraft for combat missions. And then he became the chief of the parachute service.
- I died on the front six of the most family – father and five uncles, - says Pavlov.
He was demobilized in 1953 and immediately got a job as a ski racing coach in the Spartak society, continuing to compete as an athlete. Soon after, he tried himself in the role of the paddler in a kayak. And it worked! Immediately won the championship of Kazan and fully focused on rowing. Including at trainer's work. In 1956 he could go to the Olympics in Melbourne, but it did not happen. In 1957, leading the team of TASSR, led the team to victory in the championship of the RSFSR. Moreover, he contributed to the victory as an athlete, winning the race for 10 thousand meters.
- To become a good coach, you need to be a decent, honest person. Just - so you don't have Pets, and that all were equal in the team. Only then can we count on the full return of the students.