Stanislav Lapidus interview: "India has most of the factors necessary for shooters to reach the highest level"

Stanislav Lapidus, flanked by Gagan Narang (left) and Abhinav Bindra (right)

India’s rifle coach Stanislav Lapidus has played a very crucial part in the success of the country’s shooters in the last few years. In an exclusive chat with Sportskeeda correspondent Taruka Srivastav, the man from Kazakhistan talked about his role with the Indian team.

Q. Considering the different backgrounds that professional shooters come from, is it more difficult to train them as compared to, say, a football or cricket team?

Lapidus: Each sport has its own specific characteristics. In different sports, the athletes are required to possess different natural abilities and talents to reach the highest level. But in addition to natural talent, there are 4 other factors that are absolutely essential: adequate sports base (sports facilities and infrastructure), financial support, effective development activities and highly professional coaches. Without even one of these parts, it is impossible to reach the highest level in the world. So if the shooters you are coaching have the support of these factors, it doesn’t matter whether they come from different backgrounds or that they don’t play as a team.

Q. What is your connection with India? What made you choose the Indian shooting team for coaching?

Lapidus: I chose India because here there are all the factors that I listed above. In addition, my family and I love your country and its ancient culture.

Q. But considering that most Indian shooters are trained outside India, don’t you think India has inadequate training facilities for shooting?

Lapidus: Not all Indian shooters train abroad, and I can’t comment on the reasons why some of them are preparing for the Olympics in places outside India.

Q. Which shooter from the Indian contingent travelling to London do you think has the best chance to win a medal?

Lapidus: I feel it would be counterproductive for me to answer this question. Any response that I give might influence the psychological condition of the athletes, either positively or negatively. I am sure they will all give their best there.

Q. You had once claimed that a scoring glitch prevented Abhinav Bindra from qualifying for an event. Do you think scores can be manipulated deliberately at big events?

Lapidus: Such confusions happen very rarely. And I think that at the Olympics, such a case is not possible at all.

Q. What do you think is the single biggest obstacle that prevents shooting from getting the recognition it deserves in India?

Lapidus: I do not want to discuss such matters. I have given my views on this topic in the meetings of the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI).

Q. With so many Indians doing well in shooting recently, do you think you have accomplished your job, or do you think you still have a long way to go?

Lapidus: I cannot evaluate the efficiency of my work. I hope that in the successes at the World Championships and Commonwealth Games and the fact that so many shooters have made the Olympics cut, I have made my contribution. But if the Indians continue to extend their whole-hearted cooperation, I’m sure that in the future, the success will be even better.