OREANDA-NEWS. Former French biathlete Martin Fourcade wanted to coach the Russian national team. His words are available on the Match TV website.

Fourcade said: "Russia is the wettest country in the world and it is surprising to me not to see it among the dominant nations in biathlon." The famous French biathlete stressed that Russian athletes are able to regain their leading positions in the world, and for him working with the team would be a "wonderful challenge".

The former biathlete noted that he understands how difficult it is to establish interaction between the Russian Biathlon Union (RBU) and the leaderships of all regions. According to Fourcade, “It is difficult for the coach of the national team to avoid all internal confrontations. But if they give me a complete carte blanche, then why not to try. "

Earlier on February 17, Fourcade spoke about the lies of the Secretary General of the International Biathlon Union (IBU) Nicole Resch because of a syringe with traces of doping found on the track in Antholz, Italy in 2015. According to the Frenchman, at a meeting with the athletes, Resch said that the syringe was handed over to the police, but this was not done.

The French biathlete announced his retirement from his professional career in March 2020. In addition to five victories at the Olympics, Fourcade has 13 world titles and seven consecutive victories in the overall World Cup, which is an absolute record.