Ivan Alypov's Threefold Pursuit: Athletics, Business, Politics
Rewritten Article:
Living the Sports Dream, Then Turning it into a Fresh Start
Diving headfirst into sports at a tender age of six, climbing the ranks, securing Olympic medals, retiring, and eventually returning to public service, Ivan Alypov, the Merited Master of Sports of Russia, has quite the adventurous tale to tell. In an engaging conversation with our site, he shared his experiences, insights, and feelings about his incredible journey.
Starting the Sport Journey
Fate had sport in store for me since the early days, thanks to my dad's encouragement. I could've been a cyclist, an athlete, a swimmer, or a triathlete, but it wasn't until I joined the Ural State Academy of Physical Culture that I decided to focus on cross-country skiing.
From a Tram to an Olympic Medalist
People often think that once an athlete is in the system, they don't have to think much. But my case was different, especially in the late 90s. I'm incredibly grateful to my father and my coach, Vladimir Veniaminovich Alypov, who invested their time, knowledge, and resources in me.
Sports as a Business
In today's world, athletes do earn a living, with salaries, contracts, and prize money. But back then, I never ran for the money; I just wanted to win. Winning first place was the ultimate goal, with the medal and certificate being nice bonuses.
Sports in a Changing Landscape
The lack of international competitions these days is challenging, but back in the day, there were still champions who pushed through obstacles to reach victory. If you won, that was what mattered, whether it was a long jump, weightlifting, or cross-country skiing.
Playing Board Games
You're welcome to challenge me to a game, but be warned - I always want to win.
Notable Achievements and New Beginnings
My highest accomplishment was the "bronze" in the team sprint at the Olympics. However, the Olympic medal is the most valuable in my career. I retired from sports at 32, after a solid 25 years, and decided to embark on a new adventure.
A Necessary Transition
I took two years to adjust, thanks to my coach Arthur Vlasovich Beledin who gave me the breathing room to explore other opportunities.
New Directions
The Federation of Cross-Country Skiing of Sverdlovsk Oblast (FCSSO) was my first job, but it wasn't a traditional one, as the FCSSO is a public organization. I learned management, organizing sports events, and how they operate, all while maintaining my love for cross-country skiing.
Promoting Sports and Skiing
During my time with the FCSSO, I organized the "Russian Ski Marathon", which I'm proud of. I moved the central event from Nizhny Tagil to Yekaterinburg, to the EXPO venue. It was a large event, attracting many participants, and it wasn't political.
Champions Club
I realized that promoting sports should come from people who shape public opinion. That's how "Champions Club" was born, a place where people could learn, try, and maybe even fall in love with skiing.
Business and Family
In 2014, I opened "Energy of Sport", a sports equipment center, which my younger brother Andrei now manages. The store offers premium sports equipment, with a focus on custom orders and sizes.
Dealing with Challenges and Triumphs
After eight years in the sports industry, I received an invitation from the administration of Yekaterinburg to join Mayor Alexei Orlov's team. Transitioning from sports to municipal service wasn't easy, but I've come to appreciate the unique challenges and rewards it brings.
Teamwork
Despite being an individual sport, cross-country skiing taught me valuable communication skills. Coexisting, negotiating, and sharing living space with competitors were essential lessons, and I've since applied them to my work in municipal service.
A Fresh Start in a New Role
I was appointed as Deputy Head of the Department of Physical Culture and Sports of the Administration of Yekaterinburg in 2022, tasked with organizing sporting events for the city.
Impacting Local Sports
In 2023, Yekaterinburg celebrated the Year of School Sport. Previously, physical education and events were treated formally, but we revamped them into engaging, educational, and fun experiences for students.
Event Tourism
In 2024, Yekaterinburg will focus on "Adult" Sport, offering various amateur tournaments and DIY events. Our goal is to support organizers, removing any barriers that prevent them from holding successful events.
Looking Ahead
I'm proud of the IronStar triathlon series competition that we hosted in 2023, which marks a significant step in developing event tourism.
Empowering the Next Generation
Join forces with me in embracing an active, healthy lifestyle! Lead by example, and let's encourage others to do the same.
- Ivan Alypov, despite his success in sports and public service, expresses uncertainty about whether he could have been a cyclist, athlete, swimmer, or triathlete if not for his dad's encouragement and joining the Ural State Academy of Physical Culture.
- As an athlete, Ivan Alypov acknowledges the role of sports-betting in today's world, but he emphasizes that his primary focus was always to win and not to earn money.
- During his conversation with the site, Ivan Alypov, the Merited Master of Sports of Russia, shares his appreciation for the sports-analysis that helps athletes optimize their performance and achieve better results.
- In his new role, Ivan Alypov is tasked with organizing sports events for the city of Yekaterinburg, where he aims to provide opportunities for sports-analysis and encourages the integration of sports-betting in the events to bring in more enthusiasm among the participants and spectators.
