Zhurova Critiques Naming Zagitovas School After Her While Shes Alive

Olympic speed skating champion and State Duma deputy, **Svetlana Zhurova**, shared her thoughts on the upcoming school for the 2018 Olympic champion **Alina Zagitova**. It has been reported that 1.29 billion rubles from the budget of Tatarstan have been allocated for the construction of this facility.

«I wouldn’t want to have any sports facility named after me while I’m still alive. Additionally, if you aren’t working there full-time and only conducting occasional master classes, then it should be a government initiative. This means offering free training sessions, and I consider that to be a sensible approach. There’s a significant difference between Evgeni Plushenko’s academy, where he personally invested, and projects funded by public money. Moreover, the issue isn’t just about funding; it’s about whether another rink is necessary in Tatarstan. I know how much figure skating is cherished there, and if such a facility is established, I have no doubt it will be well-utilized. Children will definitely make the most of it,» Zhurova’s remarks were reported by «VseProSport».

Earlier, Tatarstan’s Minister of Sports, Vladimir Leonov, stated that the figure skating palace will likely not bear Zagitova’s name, and the naming rights will be given to private companies.