Valeria was sitting right next to me in the Olympiski Arena, Moscow, during the first day of the men's and women's event finals at the European Championships. Her enthusiasm was infectious, her English excellent, and we soon got talking.
I'm really curious to know what makes gymnastics fans tick, so asked Valeria a few questions. She has some very interesting and well articulated opinions.
Valeria, what would you like to say about yourself?
I'm 19 years old, live in Moscow, and study tourism management. I love, of course, gym, cinema, travel. ))
How did you first become interested in gymnastics?
I became interested in gymnastics after watching the 2008 Beijing Olympics - in Russia, unfortunately, gymnastics is shown very rarely on the main channels, with poor commentators, so I was lucky to see it on cable TV, and I fell in love with gymnastics. :))
What is it about the sport that most excites you?
I like the gym for several reasons: it's beautiful, it's very risky, and could change at any moment.
I met you at the European Championships in Moscow this spring ... what was your highlight of that competition?
At the European Championships I liked best beam) I love Larisa +)))
Do you attend competitions regularly?
Only once, when we first met. In Moscow, big gym is very rare.
Do you collect gymnastics memorabilia?
I collect gymnastic video - recording of old competitions, including regional, and load them into our social network vkontakte ))
How do you follow all of the gymnastics news?
I watch the news on vkontakte - as well as the group there.) Here is the link - there are a lot of rare photos and video, maybe you would be interested.
Who are your favourite gymnasts and why?
My favourite gymnasts are Larisa Iordache, Jordyn Wieber, Aly Raisman, Simone Biles . I like them because they have very hard exercises.
Are you familiar with the great Soviet tradition of gymnastics of the past - the work of such gymnasts as Tourischeva, Yurchenko, Boguinskaia, Dityatin, Bilozerchev, Scherbo?
Of course, I know all the great Soviet gymnasts ))
Viktoria Komova, or Gabrielle Douglas? Who do you prefer, and why?
For me clearly - Gabrielle Douglas. She is strong on all the exercises, while Komova emphasises the uneven bars.
What are your opinions of the Russian team? Do you think they will be able to compete for gold at the next Olympics?
I like from the Russian teams Anastasia Grishina and Emin Garibov). I think gold in the girls team is very little chance. America's team as a whole, is much stronger in complexity.
Are there any up and coming young Russian gymnasts who you would like to recommend we watch?
Evgeniya Shelgunova) She is very talented.
What opinions do you have of the current Code of Points - any changes you would like to see?
I would like to see more encouraged to assess the difficulty, not performance. )
Thank you Valeria!! I really loved Moscow, and our discussions, and hope you will continue to love gymnastics.
Would you like to tell readers about your experiences and thoughts as a gymnastics fan? If so, please email me on rewriterussiagym@btinternet.com.
Way to support your home country girl! Was she cheering for the Russian gymnasts at all?
ReplyDeleteWhat a shame!
She is allowed to support who ever she wants to. If she is Russian does this mean she has to be a fanatic or what? If I am Romanian this does not mean I have be a superfanatic and support only the Romanians. No.
DeleteThe problem that she clearly have no idea what she likes in gymnastics.
DeleteShe sad that like difficulty yet think that Komova have only bars as strong event compared to Gabby !? ANd other events is week? oh really ......
I have read a few comments of some Russian "fans" and the only thing they care is for Russia to win gold. Reason why you only hear them complaint and not having any sort of appreciation for the artistic part of Russian gymnastics. This girl doesn't know about gymnastics if she really thinks Douglas is better than Komova.
DeleteVery interesting interview! I see that she prefers difficulty over artistry in gymnastics. I would expect Russians to love mostly Russian gymnasts, not American. I like both Russian and American gymnasts. I like Larisa as well. It's very interesting that she wants to put even more emphasis on difficulty. I would prefer more artistry.
ReplyDeleteOh my god someone has a preference different from the one that I have/expect. FOR SHAME?? ? ?
ReplyDeleteInteresting. She loves power gymnasts and difficulty.
ReplyDeleteI lived in Russia for over 16 years and can say with confidence, that she is like white crow- possible but rare. Definitely, not typical Russian gymnastics fan.
ReplyDeleteDid Valeria not see Komova's floor routine or her beam. I dont have a problem with her prefering the Americans/Romanians as its her personal choice but her saying that Gabby is good on all exercises while Komova emphasizes bars is saying Komova was only good on bars. That's just wrong.
ReplyDeleteI think when she said that Gabby is "strong" on all events perhaps she was referring to consistency? Gabby is by far more consistent and determined under pressure on all events. That's doesn't necessarily mean she is better. Maybe this girl just prefers a gymnast that can go out and hit 4 for 4 on routines and not be a disappointment on an event where she could have scored big. She does recognize that Komova's bar work is consistently superior to Gabby. I don't think she ever mentioned Komova only being any good on bars, just that she was consistently better there, whereas regardless of her ability when "on" can and has faltered on the other three events. I think some of the comments on here are taking the interview too much as a personal attacked on the beloved Russian team and their viewpoints. I'm sure this girl loves the Russian gymnasts too or she wouldn't be at the events....she was asked very specific questions and it's seems they might be personal opinions and not so much a "my view is the only correct view" approach that some are taking this as.
DeleteLike when Gabby become super consistent ?. . She done all events properly once on National and Olympics, but fall again on beam and bars in finals. Floor seem more confident , but that's all. Her victory is a big surprise and a question even after all this times. Of course advertising of USA did a great job but Gabby never gives the impression of a confident gymnast
Deleteconsistency doesn't mean the gymnast is 'better' it's just one aspect of a gymnast that we were discussing, just as comparing athleticism or grace and elegance would be totally different when comparing the same gymnasts. I much prefer komova over douglas personally but if you are talking about consistency, especially with your london example then douglas wins that aspect. Confidence includes determination as well. It means fighting for through the mistakes and bobbles and not erm walking off the mat or jumping off the beam because you gave up without even trying to fight. It means nailing almost all your routines instead of falling or giving up on at least half of them. I'm not saying douglas does not still falter...every great gymnast has off days I'm just saying that she has proven more consistent throughout all of last years competitions if you want to talk consistency. That aside, I was just wondering whether those are things that this young lady saw too and perhaps those are what guided her preferences in gymnastics at the moment. I thought it was a very interesting interview.
DeleteWhat?! The only competition Douglas has not fallen in was what Trials 2012?! She is the most inconsistent on the American quad. She missed the vault table completely at PacRim. She messed up bars/beam/floor at the Olympics. She fell on beam/floor at Nationals. She is not at all consistent. Consistently falls I suppose but I don't think that's what you meant. I don't mind this interview, but I don't think that people who don't know what they are talking about should say stuff like "Komovas only good on one event"
Deleteactually I do believe people are allowed to say whatever they desire especially when being interviewed and discussing something as a matter of personal opinion! And I don't believe anyone ever said Komova was only good on one event. I don't know where the heck you people are making that up from. She clearly said "Komova emphasizes the uneven bars" not "Komova is only good on even bars". Which is highly true! Komova's best event is the uneven bars which she performs by far with the least mistakes, least falls, routinely scores the highest and stands out the most to viewers who watch her routines. And I was not comparing Douglas to her teammates. Sure I agree with you that her teammates with her that year excel but the question was specifically brought up comparing Douglas with Komova. When you compare the two I would choose hands down Douglas for consistency. Like I already mentioned...it's not that she is perfect either but comparing the two regarding that one aspect, she excels over Komova. And when she does fall at least she fights for those bobbles. I would much rather have a gymnast who doesn't just 'give up' and cry nearly every time...when we talk consistency and determination...not anything about their skill level, execution...etc.. I think everyone seems to take it as a personal attack on one gymnast. I personally prefer the work of Komova much more over Douglas, but considering ONLY consistency, especially in a limited frame of competition that was being discussed I have a valid point.
DeleteTo me by saying "She is strong on all the exercises, while Komova emphasises the uneven bars" is implying Komova is not strong on all apparatus's which is just false. But I see the misunderstanding. But my question to you is this, why do people say theyd rather see a gymnast put on a dramatic scene while falling off the beam, rather than just hope off, save ones energy, collect oneself, and continue the routine? I never understood this. I would much rather see Musty who gracefully falls without a big scene, gets back on and continues, rather than Douglas who hung clinging to the underside of the beam in the most unflattering position during beam final. I don't say this to say you are wrong, I am just curious. I understand the difference between falling unnecessarily, though I have only seen Komova fall once where it was realistically possible that she could have stayed on (beam 2011). But why make a huge scene about it. It can actually end up in a higher deduction. I forget who it was but someone in 2009 was deducted for putting her hands on the beam as well as the fall...Which I think it excessive but whatever, why risk it?
DeleteNice to read so many comments on my interview, thank you very much to all!
ReplyDeleteI believe that everyone has an opinion, and do not impose anything on anyone.
Hello from Russia!
Queen Elizabeth, great interview. Do you have any thoughts on the recent world cup in Anadia? I was looking at the scores and tried to scour the net for as many videos as possible of routines and I saw some really interesting things (both good and bad) from several countries athletes actually. I was wondering if you had any interpretations of the competition and thoughts on certain athletes improvements/failures on some of the events. Thanks!!
ReplyDeleteThat is a very cute photo . Stylish pretty young lady!
ReplyDelete