Volodymyr Lapitsky, the sporting director of Rukh Lviv, spoke about the situation with the call-up of the club's players to the Ukrainian Olympic team.
Volodymyr Lapitsky. Photo — fcrukh.com- Why does Rukh not let Slyubyk, Kvasnytsia, Roman, Sych and Didyk join the Ukrainian Olympic team? This is the first time in history that our team has qualified for the Olympics, and this position of Rukh is incomprehensible to the public.
- Throughout the season, I kept in touch with Ruslan Rotan (head coach of the Ukrainian Olympic team - ed. note) and his assistant Yevhen Gres. They were always interested in the condition of our players. We have no misunderstanding with Rotan, the Ukrainian national team is a prestige, and Rukh is honoured that representatives of our club are called up to the Olympic team.
But the tournament in Toulon is a preparatory one. "Rukh has just finished the championship and in a couple of days we need to release players to the national team who have not yet had time to recover. The problem is that the called-up players have health problems. All our leaders had a tough season. Compared to Dynamo, their youngsters play with experienced partners, with the same Shaparenko, Yarmolenko, and Buyalsky. We don't have such an alloy, and Rukh played the season with youngsters. Our players probably played the most minutes among all those called up to the Olympic team.
- How did Ruslan Rotan react to the situation?
- I'm very grateful to Rotan for getting into the situation and understanding our position. He also personally spoke to our players and knows their condition. Sych has been playing the last few matches on injections, Roman was replaced in the match against Dynamo due to a muscle problem, Kvasnytsia has the same story, Slyusar is injured. Therefore, it is not worth risking their health. It will not benefit either the national team or the club.
After the preparatory tournament, we have to go to the Olympics, and then Rukh starts training camp. Sych simply won't have time to recover and rest.
- The preparatory tournament is understandable, but will Rukh players go to the Olympics?
- We didn't say that we wouldn't let the players go to the Olympics. We are not letting them go to the preparatory tournament because of their health. Rotan understands that our players need time to get themselves in order. They are not going to the seas and oceans, but will be engaged in rehabilitation and recovery.
When Rotan decides on the squad for the Olympics, we will talk and see who is in what state of health. If our players are healthy, we will release them without any problems. "Rukh has never refused to let players join the national team. Now the issue is their health. Ruslan Petrovych understands that the players need to heal their injuries, and he is in constant contact with them.
Andrii Piskun
