Semen Elistratov

instagram.com/semi7pro

Reason for choosing this sport	He was given the chance to try short track during his physical education classes at school.
Name of coach	Andrey Maksimov [personal], RUS, from 2000
When and where did you begin this sport?	He began training in 2000 in Ufa, Russian Federation.
Club / Team	MGFSO [RUS] / Ufa Sports School of Olympic Reserve No.1 [RUS]:

Hobbies	Reading, cars. (Athlete, 25 Sep 2018)
Injuries	At age 12 he missed two months of training after breaking his leg in a fall during competition. (rbinform.ru, 28 Feb 2013)
Awards and honours	He received the Order for Merits to the Fatherland [second grade] in the Russian Federation in recognition of his performance at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang. (kremlin.ru, 27 Feb 2018) He received the Order of Friendship in the Russian Federation in recognition of his performance at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi. (kremlin.ru, 24 Feb 2014) He holds the title of Honoured Master of Sport in the Russian Federation. (russkating.ru, 29 Oct 2020; minsport.gov.ru, 29 May 2020)
Memorable sporting achievement	Winning a gold medal in the 5000m relay at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, and claiming bronze in the 1500m at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang. (Athlete, 25 Sep 2018)
Ambitions	To win an individual gold medal at the Olympic Winter Games. (Athlete, 25 Sep 2018)
Most influential person in career	His parents, his wife Yulia, and coach Andrey Maksimov. (Athlete, 12 Feb 2016)
Sporting philosophy / motto	"Don't give up. Fight until the end." (sport-express.ru, 10 Feb 2018)
Other information	ELISTRATOV CENTRE In November 2020 a short track skating centre in his hometown of Ufa, Russian Federation, was named after him. "I began short track skating at age 10. If someone had told me [at the time] that an ice arena would be named after me, I would have laughed of course. I am an ordinary guy and would never say such words as 'great' or 'outstanding' of myself. In general, I have a very difficult attitude to my regalia and victories in the sports arena, when there are many more important areas. This is a huge responsibility for me." (Instagram profile, 30 Nov 2020; rsport.ria.ru, 24 Nov 2020) TRAINING ABROAD He trained with the Hungarian short track team ahead of the 2019/20 season. "I think the most important thing that has changed is my head. Hence the changes in tactics, and it seems to me I began to navigate [the race] faster. My head became stronger, maybe due to the fact that I became a father. I can't explain it, I just feel the race, I understand what will happen. It's a pity that it came at 30 years, not at 22." (rsport.ria.ru, 21 Dec 2019)