The recent results allow the specialists and fans to await Russia’s strong performance at the upcoming Olympics, but Prokhorov stressed that he doesn’t want to put the team under unnecessary pressure ahead of the competition.

“The Olympics are of course a very important event, but let’s not speculate whether it is crucial for the coaching staff or not. Let’s see what the Games will bring and then figure everything out,” the 44-year-old said.

“I do not visit races often, but that does not indicate that I work poorly for the Russian Biathlon Union. The showing of the effectiveness of the Union will be seen in Vancouver in February,” he said.

And, of course, Prokhorov’s plans of buying NBA team the New Jersey Nets was also of interest to the journalists.

“All the legally binding agreements have been signed and we need only the NBA’s approval. It is the last document, the necessary part of the deal. I think the paper will arrive in the first quarter of 2010 when the owners of the club will have rendered their decisions,” he said.

The businessman added that he was surprised that the deal has progressed with little complications.

“I was rather amazed that the National Basketball Association supported me so easily. I expected greater resistance from them,” President of Onexim Group said.