Physical Culture Day in Russia is annually celebrated on the second Saturday in August. All those who like sports and have an active lifestyle, as well as professional athletes and coaches celebrate this holiday on August 9th this year. Right before the national sports day, we talked to the Director of the SUSU Institute of Sport, Tourism and Service Vadim Erlikh.
— What was the most important lesson that sport taught you?
— Thanks to sport, I have been prone to goal-setting, discipline and order from the very young age. These are the crucial aspects that guarantee us that we can achieve the desired results in any sphere of life.
— What do you think the future of sports science looks like?
— The future is already here. Such new research method as digitalization of athletes is becoming more and more widely used. It implies using digital technologies to improve various aspects of preparation, training and competing. The Institute of Sport, Tourism and Service has purchased the required equipment and is ready to step on this new track with the beginning of the academic year: we will be performing the digital imaging of athletes' movements in order to record the dynamics of their speed, slowing down, reaction, service, precision, and other parameters.
Using of data, analytics, software and other digital tools will allow us to increase the effectiveness of training sessions, improve the results of athletes, and optimize sports processes in general. SUSU will become the first university in our region using the digitalization method in sports. After all, besides the unique equipment, we also have specialists who are competent in interpreting of the obtained data.
— What prospects open up for young graduates of the SUSU Institute of Sport, Tourism and Service?
— There are only two universities in the Chelyabinsk Region that train sports teachers and athletes: South Ural State University and Ural State University of Physical Education. Our students have wide prospects and opportunities. Around 90% of students start working in their profession already from their third year of studies. Sports industry is wide-ranging – you can find a job not only at sports ministries, management or teaching, but also in multiple and various sports clubs, groups and organizations, including in commercial ones. We always offer support to our students with effective employment: all we need is their wish to get a job.
— Imagine an ideal city of the future. In what way tourism and sports can make it more harmonious?
— The Chelyabinsk Region is already unique: we have things to show to tourists, and we have places for recreation to offer. The main aspect is the infrastructure and how we work with it. If the Chelyabinsk Region was not developing in this direction successfully, we wouldn't be witnessing the big and serious construction projects in progress at various corners of our region, including in the tourism and sports sector.
There are already many ski resorts in our region that are popular among tourists – this is a good example of successful amalgamation of sports and tourism. Today we generate fresh ideas for such projects, and this could be a topic for a separate interview.
— Could you please share on what your most daring dream regarding the Institute is? Is it possible to bring it to life?
— We'd like to make SUSU our region's sports stronghold through creating a new improved educational system, built from scratch. The achievements of the SUSU Institute of Sport, Tourism and Service in science and education top the results of our regional competitors. In addition, we are just as good in terms of sports victories. We have everything for expanding and centralization, and take new charges under our strong wing.
— Is there a project that you are most proud of? Why has namely this project become so important for you?
— Frankly speaking, there are many projects of our Institute that I'm proud of, and each one of those has its own special significance. Among the recent ones, which we thoroughly worked on, is the "Sails of the Victory" tourist project. We designed boats (similar to big ships) with sails illuminated with red light. The idea is that those will sail over the waters of Lake Zyuratkul as the final cord in the ceremony of closing the sports competitions held on the territory of the Zyuratkul National Park. We have worked out all the details of this event, so it must be a majestic show. More than twenty Russian universities expressed their support of this project, and they are ready to send over their students for participation in this spectacular event.
— What methods and means are used to support talented students at the SUSU Institute of Sport, Tourism and Service?
— We provide all the support we can to our students starting from their first year. They don't just study at our Institute, they achieve great goals. Students may count on financial support for their academic excellence, original scientific articles, or active participation in the university events. Today, the number of students with increased stipend is thrice bigger namely at our Institute. We work with each student individually: we are always ready to help them out in solving issues related to their studies, to support them, guide, motivate them, or assist in successful employment.
— Which is the main skill, in your opinion, that modern students should develop in themselves in parallel with studying in order to become successful professionals?
— To achieve any kind of success in life, like in sports, it is important to know how to set a clear goal and make a path towards it, correctly assess your capacities and apply them properly, and stick to strict discipline. This is a one-size-fits-all formula helping achieve any, and even the most daring ambitions.
— Where does your motto "It may be scary, but give it a try" come from?
— Even before I became the head of the Institute of Sport, Tourism and Service, students had put this favourite phrase of mine on university branded sweatshirts and had indicated me as the author of this saying. Many liked this motto, and it's still popular with our athletes. It feels good that this attitude motivates them for new achievements. I've always been telling my students: "It may be scary, but give it a try. You will at least boost your self-esteem and gain certain experience. You can only reach the summit if you move towards it step by step". That is why I advise everyone to go in for sports. Keep your head up and move forward.