Vladimir Alekno’s toughest moments and a career that bridged coaching, triumph, and global sport politics
Vladimir Alekno, once at the helm of Russia’s national volleyball team, faced some of the hardest days in his coaching career when he had to tell a player that they would not be selected for a tournament. The moment carried heavy weight, and it tested leadership, empathy, and the ability to deliver hard news with clarity and resolve. According to discussions shared by the federation, those conversations were not easy for anyone involved. The assistant coaches rarely attended these meetings, and the scene could be emotionally overwhelming. One image lingers: a towering, two-meter-tall athlete, weighing around 120 kilograms, rising from his seat and letting tears flow. The challenge lay not in the technique of the game, but in the human side of selection and team composition. The questions—what words to use, how to balance honesty with encouragement—were front and center for Alekno in those moments.
Alekno is widely remembered for guiding the Russian team to Olympic glory in 2012, a milestone that marked his coaching tenure with lasting impact. In a new chapter of his professional journey, he is set to join Zenit St. Petersburg for the 2024/25 season, taking on the role of head coach in a club that has long aspired to translate national-team success into club excellence. This move situates Alekno at the heart of St. Petersburg’s volleyball ambitions, where leadership, strategic vision, and the ability to cultivate top-tier talent will be tested again in a different arena.
In February 2022, the International Olympic Committee issued guidance urging international federations to bar Russian and Belarusian athletes from participating in competitions. That stance evolved over the following months, culminating in a decision at the end of 2023 to allow Russians and Belarusians to compete in the 2024 Summer Olympics as neutral athletes, with a notable restriction: participation in team sports would be limited. This policy shift reflected the evolving landscape in global sport, where eligibility, neutrality, and national representation intersect in complex ways for athletes and teams alike.
There has also been discussion among players about alternate paths in international competition. In one notable case, a former volleyball player named Oleg Antonov commented on options that could arise for athletes seeking to compete under another flag, including considerations around joining an experienced national program such as Italy’s. These conversations underscore the broader realities athletes face when governing bodies modify eligibility rules and when career opportunities cross national boundaries.