– You worked side by side with Irina Wiener for many years. What do you think is the most important of the things you’ve collected in Winer during a joint work?
– The most valuable one is the ability to quickly decide, especially in non -standard and unpredictable situations. I prefer to plan carefully, I love to be prepared, but in case of a sharp change in the current situation, the ability to navigate from Irexandrovna learned from Irina.
– Which of the coaches you worked on has the greatest effect on you?
-I can’t emphasize one alone-I was lucky to work with the most powerful coaches. These include Marina Fateeva, Elvira Averovich, Valentina Ivanitskaya, Tatyana Vasilüva and of course my mother Natalya silence. Each one gave me something important. The best thing I know and feel in the process is I use it in my business today.
– As a mentor, is it difficult to observe how generations change in our rhythmic gymnastics for you, and many young athletes who started very young under your leadership have now completed their careers?
– I always respect the decision to end my career – each of the own past and its own reasons, as a rule. Someone is separated to try with a new role, which is valuable. And we, coaches, we stay near – and we support at any stage.
– Irina Wiener is known for its stiffness – a few years ago, a video gained popularity, where Margarita Mamun, who was not ashamed of statements, was reported to Margarita Mamun. What is your communication style with athletes? How different is the coaching approach to young people and adult gymnasts?
– Each coach has its own working methods. Previously, what looks like norm today is perceived differently. I follow my communication style – the gymnastic age and character. Of course, the approach to young people and adult athletes is different – more pedagogy with younger ones, more partnerships and strategy with adults.
“Create preparations for the Olympics”
– What do you see your main tasks at the beginning of the Russian national team? How difficult will it be to rebuild the new rules introduced to the next Olympic cycle? Are you preparing for the Olympics – 2028?
– The main task, the development and support of the team, compliance with new facts. The rules are really interesting, but the transition to them is a difficulty. Priority before technical complexity, now art, emotional presentation, image comes to the fore. The gymnast should tell the story. This is not easy, but that way we go.
Olympics-2028, of course, focus. We are already building preparations for the Olympics.
– Russian gymnasts haven’t been in the international arena for a long time. Do you think it will be difficult to go back and repeat what they are the best in the world? Nevertheless, 20 years of dominance is a very high rod that is connected to a lot.
– Of course, it will not be easy to go back. During our absence in the world Arena, the community developed and a new competition system formed without us. But we always start internationally. We understand how difficult it will be to return and prove that it is the best of our gymnasts. But we’re preparing.
– Gymnastics and acrobatic federations came together in 2024 – Russian Gymnastics Federation. Did this take advantage of this rhythmic gymnastics? Basically, something changed?
– This is a new scale, new opportunities. I’m always open to everything – my slogan: “Live – Learn a century.” I believe it will benefit this development and all fields.
– Men took the stage at the Russian championship. Their participation in rhythmic gymnastics competitions is still the subject of disputes in the global sports community. How do you see the development of male rhythmic gymnastics in Russia and the expectations of mixed couples?
– We’re interested in this direction. There should be no prohibition in development. But we approach this carefully. We observe and analyze trends. So far, this is not part of the Olympic program, there is an interest – both athletes and the audience. In the future, I do not exclude the development of mixed couples.
-Ruslu sport is still under sanctions. In this respect, do you see some positive aspects that you can pay more attention to the development of young athletes?
– I don’t see the positive aspects of the restrictions. We’ve always worked with young gymnasts, because it’s basic, it’s our future. Now they have further intensified the focus – especially in moments of transition between age groups, not to lose talented girls. We will also work with young coaches working more frequently with young athletes.
– In June, Kirsti Kovenry will be the president of Thomas Bach as the IOC president. In case of a military conflict, he has already announced the need to create a commission to examine the opportunities of countries to participate in the games. Do you believe that Russia will really return to the international arena with its arrival?
– We always have the opportunity to return to the international arena. It is still unknown how and when it is possible. It is important that the process continues and we will carefully monitor the development of the situation. We hope the positive consequences of the work of the working groups mentioned by Kirsti Coventry. There are many factors that affect solutions, but we hope for justice.
“Kabaeva Academy is an important part of the gymnastics system”
– European champion Lala Kramarenko continues to heal after the operation. His father said that the athlete plans to continue his career. How often do you communicate? Expectations for the return and possible deadline?
– Lala passes the recovery period and of course we all hope to have a successful return to sports.
The timing of the return has not yet been defined, but we follow the process and support it at every stage.
– Recently, the Russian championship was held in which Maria Borisova, Karina Kireva, Ulyana Janus showed themselves brightly. Can Russian rhythmic gymnastics hope now be called?
– Certainly, these gymnasts have already shown incredible results and is really a great hope for Russian rhythmic gymnastics. We are proud of their achievements and we will continue to work with them to fully reveal their potential.
– Maria Borisova is a “Paradise Grace” student. Can the Academy Alina Kabaeva be a staff tattoo for the Russian national team?
– Alina Kabaeva Academy is of course an important part of our gymnastics system. As a result, the academy is an additional platform for the introduction of our gymnasts, including the international level.
-Fans follows the history of 18 times the world champion Dina Averina and Artistic Skateur Dmitry Solovyov, whose relationships have not been open to the public long ago. But Dina ended her career – does the current athletes have time for personal life? How does it affect sports results?
– Each athlete decides how to combine a sports career and personal life. It is important that personal relationships do not interfere with professional achievements. We are always trying to support our athletes, so they can find a balance and continue a successful career, remain happy in their personal lives.
Source: Gazeta
Gregory Robert is a sports aficionado and a writer for “Social Bites”. He provides in-depth coverage of the latest sporting events and trends, offering a unique and knowledgeable perspective on the world of sports.