From Deseret News archives:
Moscow mayor a busy guy
Yuri Luzhkov is one of the most powerful and influential people in Russia. As mayor of Moscow, the country's capital city, Luzhkov has been the key factor in the city's continuing transition from socialism to capitalism. Immensely popular, he knows how to get things done and is not above bending a few arms to do it. Accused of corruption from time to time, Luzhkov nevertheless exudes sincerity, frequently expressing a wish for prosperity in Russia and peace in the world. He speaks often of the need for developed countries to help developing countries.
He is also a sports nut. Short, burly and bald, at 68 years old Luzhkov looks at least 10 years younger and continues to actively compete on the playing field.
A former agro-chemist who rose to Moscow's top spot in 1992, Luzhkov has taken a personal interest in the youth games, overseeing organization of their summer component last July and coming to Utah for the winter portion when other politicians of his stature might have easily dismissed them or participated in them only ceremonially. (Luzhkov did not attend as many events as he might have last summer because he had hurt his back in — what else? — a soccer game.)
The Moscow mayor has been going from one thing to another since his arrival in Salt Lake City last Friday. He was at Utah Valley State College Monday morning where he addressed students and received an honorary degree before flying to the East Coast to meet with New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and other dignitaries. He will arrive back in Utah in time to take in more events and participate in the games' closing ceremonies Saturday.
Between appointments, Luzhkov sat down Monday with the Deseret Morning News to answer a few questions. Speaking through an interpreter, Luzhkov proved to be detail-oriented, focused, occasionally light-hearted and (as illustrated by his answer to the last question) diplomatic.
Excerpts:
DMN: How's your back?
Luzhkov: Only two weeks I had problems and then I was playing soccer again. Yesterday we were skiing at Grizzly (Snowbasin's double-black-diamond Olympic downhill run), so that proves I'm in excellent form.
DMN: You're an avid sportsman. What's your favorite sport?
Luzhkov: I like skiing when I have the opportunity to ski. In the summertime I love to play tennis and soccer.
DMN: What is your opinion of President Bush, apart from his decision to go to war with Iraq? (Luzhkov has said various times that while he was "disgusted" with Saddam Hussein he disagreed with Bush's decision to go to war based on the shaky weapons-of-mass-destruction foundation.)
