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Maxim MIRNYI: "I will find a common language with any person for the sake of the joint fight against AIDS"...

Maxim Mirnyi, a brilliant Belarusian sportsman, a star of world tennis, the champion of Wimbledon '98, the winner of the US Open Championship in 2000 and 2002, at only twenty–five years of age has already gained some experience in public work. He has participated in a number of charity games; at present Maxim regularly visits a hospital for disabled children in Indianapolis (USA), and recently he has started studying materials on HIV/AIDS. Why? He has explained it to the correspondent of the UN Bulletin.

–Maxim, according to the results of the survey carried out in the year 2002 by the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS in Belarus, you happened to be one of the top ten nominees for the title of the national goodwill ambassador on HIV/AIDS. You had to compete with many other famous sportsmen: Alexander Medved, Edward Malofeev, Janina Korolchik, Ivan Ivankov, Natalia Zvereva… Do you see the fact that you became the goodwill ambassador as a new victory or only as a new responsibility?

–I see it as an honor to act as the national goodwill ambassador, which is certainly a great responsibility. However, understanding all complexities of this new role, I will try to do my best helping all those people who have been directly affected by HIV/AIDS.

–But still, what was the reason behind your decision to become the goodwill ambassador for UNAIDS in Belarus? Was there any personal motive behind it? Maybe you personally know some HIV–positive people?

–No, so far I have never met people suffering from AIDS, but the problem of the AIDS epidemic has always worried me. You probably know that many sportsmen all over the world are involved in various health programs. And I believe that I can offer some help to those who suffer from AIDS here in Belarus. And if I manage to help at least some people affected by AIDS, I will know that my work has not been fruitless.

–You have been playing tennis since you were six years old, and it was your father Nikolai who brought you to the courts and who goes with you to the tournaments as your coach. Do you expect him to help you with your new responsibilities?

–Yes, certainly. The help of my father will be very important for me, whether it is help with the organization of events or advice on this or that problem which I might face working as the UNAIDS ambassador.

–At the beginning of your career as a tennis player you were known more as a doubles player. Whom would you like to see as your partner in the fight against AIDS (this person does not necessarily have to be a sportsman)?

–I have not thought about it yet, but I hope there will be people interested in such cooperation. Whether it is the President of our country or any other person, I will find time and a common language for teamwork with this person.

–Maxim, what measures, in your opinion, should be taken at the state level to tackle the problem of HIV/AIDS in Belarus?

–I think in order to eliminate this problem our state could intensify cooperation with such organizations as the United Nations and with a number of international experts, who could deal with the problem at a high professional level. As you know, AIDS is a relatively new problem for Belarus, and the professionals who have already worked in this field for years can render the best help.

Also, besides the deepening of the international cooperation, I think it is very important to inform the public extensively about the activity of UNAIDS in Belarus and the work of the national goodwill ambassador for UNAIDS. I think it will make our fight against AIDS more successful…