Hockey Vyacheslav Fetisov: “Larionov and Fedorov are “untouchables” too”

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The chief coach and general manager of the Russian Olympic team Vyacheslav Fetisov confirmed the fact that Detroit forwards Igor Larionov and Sergey Fedorov have accepted proposal to play in Salt Lake City in his interview to SE correspondent Igor LARIN yesterday. Besides, Fetisov has expanded on his plans on forming national team.

Foreign media received your recent decisions differently. One say that Larionov and Fedorov are included into extended candidates' list of Olympic team, others - that they are included into the squad itself.

I'd like to clear it out right away: such masters as Larionov and Fedorov have proved themselves long ago. I granted them places to Salt Lake City. Thus the eight untouchables (Bure, Kovalev, Jashin, Kasparaitis, Jushkevich, Tverdovsky, Gonchar and Khabibulin) turned to top ten.

And nevertheless, Fedorov has left himself an escape route - the final decision on his participation in the Games he is planning to make closer to December, 22.

This is right. But our talk with Sergey was very fruitful. I know universalism of this forward, and I think he is an essential player to us. To be honest: I'm practically sure that he will participate in the Olympics.

They say that you'll name the names of the rest 13 players for the Olympics in groups of five during the remaining before December 22 time.

That is not right. Each time it would refer to one player, sometimes 2.

Russia still doesn't know the list of 18 team candidates representing the superleague…

It's an enigma to me! We have drawn up the list for RHF (Russian Ice Hockey Federation). I can't understand why it isn't published yet.

How many 'Russian' players are you going to take to Salt Lake City?

I can't say that yet. But I think one or two field players from the superleague and one goalkeeper have a good chance to play in the Olympics.

Is the problem with conducting meeting of Russian Olympic players during the star weekend of NHL (February, 1-3) solved?

Not yet. This meeting is very expensive, and RHF and the sponsors haven't managed to find the necessary funds yet. I hope it will be held.

What other problems do you have as the head of the team?

Concussion of Pavel Bure. I talk to him every day and hope that he will recover soon.