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A day after Indian gymnastics coach, Vladimir Chertkov, left the Asian Games camp abruptly after being barred from being part of the opening ceremony, the Russian-born American, now in New Delhi, said that he would not extend his contract, which expires on November 30. He also termed India officials now in Guangzhou as 'racists'.
Chertkov is now planning to fly home to Chicago once his current contract expires. Chertkov refused to wear the standard uniform because it was of the wrong size and he couldn't fit into the official colours.
"I was not allowed to participate in the Asian Games opening ceremony on racial grounds," he claimed . "I see no reason to stay here longer than my contract period and will be leaving for Chicago as soon as it expires", Chertkov told The Indian Express on Sunday.
After a successful year of progress for Indian Gymnastics, which resulted in two medal-winning performances at the Commonwealth Games, Chertkov was on the verge of signing a contract extension post-November after much coaxing from the players and coaches. But the latest incident has made him change his mind. "Five countries were offering up to five times the salary that I currently receive here in India, but I was still willing to stick on because of the players. But the way I have been treated in Guangzhou, has forced me to change my mind", he said.
"The clothes (official kit) did not fit. Many other coaches also had the same complaint but they were still forcing me to wear it. When I came for the opening ceremony the officials said that what I was wearing was not 'Indian' enough and did not allow me to participate. This amounts to discrimination on the basis of my nationality," he said.
Chertkov also stated that his decision was made partly because of the unprofessional functioning of the Indian Gymnastic Federation and the Indian Olympic Association. "The federation and the Olympic association are filled with politicians who do not know anything about the sport. This has caused me a lot of heartburn and this situation needs to change if India is to improve as a sporting nation."
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