Two interviews with Angelina Melnikova

First of all, TASS have been discussing Angelina’s plans for the year.  She wants to have a corgi dog, but for now can’t as she’s busy with gymnastics.

https://tass.ru/interviews/26678443

Gymnast Angelina Melnikova: I want a dog, but so far I only have a cactus

In an interview with TASS at the "Forum in the Big City," Olympic gymnastics champion Angelina Melnikova discussed why she loves International Women's Day, her favorite flowers, traveling, her athletic plans, and shared the secret to her perfect figure.

We're talking on the eve of March 8th, which is associated, among other things, with flowers. So, my first questions are about them. Which flowers do you like the most, and which don't you?

— I love peonies. I think they're the most beautiful. But on March 8th, I think tulips seem even more beautiful on this day. Which flowers don't I like? How can you not love flowers? I think I love them all, all beautiful.

— Maybe you don't like cacti?

— By the way, I have cacti at home. I love cacti. I don't have any that I don't like.

— After competing at the Olympic Games, World and European Championships, and Russian Championships and Cups, as a winner or runner-up of these competitions, you've been presented with bouquets on the podium dozens, if not hundreds, of times. Which bouquet was the most memorable?

— Someone said the questions would be simple, but these are the hardest ones (laughs). Let's put it this way: big bouquets are the most memorable.

How do you usually celebrate March 8th? Any thoughts on how you'll celebrate the upcoming International Women's Day?

— I usually celebrate by working out, naturally (laughs). But this year it's Sunday, so I hope I'll be able to celebrate quietly.

—- Can this holiday be compared to a birthday or New Year's?

— I love March 8th. I'm always in a good mood on this day, with lots of little treats. I seem to remember last year on this day, I got into a taxi, and the driver gave me a tulip.

— It's impossible to imagine any big holiday without a festive table, which is why some people leave with extra pounds. What's usually on your festive table?

— I always eat a lot. So I'm quite fit in that regard. But generally, I love coming home to my mom cooking something delicious and home-cooked. She bakes chicken or makes borscht. I really love potato pancakes.

— How have you managed to stay in such great shape for so many years? Do you have a secret diet?

— I don't have any special diet. I just constantly watch my diet.

— What advice would you give to people who want to lose weight but can't?

— Eating less at night is the best advice.

— You competed in Italy at the end of February. Do you like that country? If so, why?

— I really like Italy. It's delicious, exciting, vibrant, and loud. It's incredibly warm there now. I'm heading back there in a week for the second stage of Serie A.

— Tell me about some of the coolest places you've visited in Italy?

— I was in Modena, a small town. But Italian provincial towns are distinguished by their special coziness and food. Each province has its own unique character.

— Are there any other countries you'd like to return to again and again?

— I'd like to return to Switzerland. I always love returning to Italy.

— You founded your own artistic gymnastics school in your native Voronezh several years ago. Is it still functioning? They say you've had to face quite a few challenges. Please share them.

— The school is still functioning. I have many questions about development. I've often said that I want to develop, but that's not possible right now—I chose sport, and I don't have enough time to devote to school. So, it's just functioning like this for now.

— Do you have pets?

— I don't have pets, and that's very sad. I really want a dog. But I have a cactus (laughs).

— What breed?

— The cactus? Just a small cactus. I like a corgi—I would choose one.

— You remain an active athlete, the leader of the Russian women's artistic gymnastics team. What are your plans for this season and this Olympic cycle in general?

— I have one more stage in Italy ahead of me, then the Russian Cup. Then the Serie A final in Italy and the Russian Championships, the European Championships, and the World Championships. That's the plan. The main goal is to qualify for the World Championships from the European Championships, and from the World Championships, for the Olympic Games. For now, we're eager to go to the European Championships—we haven't been there in a while, and we don't know whether we'll be admitted as a team or if we'll have to qualify individually. Right now, we're waiting.

You can also watch a 46 Questions interview with Angelina which gives details of her earnings, supposedly.  She gave her car from the 2016 Olympics to her parents.  

46 questions - video interview with Angelina Melnikova.  In the English, it’s dubbed so comes across as very unnatural.  

English: https://youtu.be/h4IU0o-Ewtc?si=N0TV0D5wzotikKdE

Russian : https://vkvideo.ru/video-177525068_456243637

Finally, wish Angelina ànd Arseny Dukhno all the best as they embark on their next trips to Italy for the Serie À competition.  Also Ludmilla Roschina, Milana Kaiumova, Alexander Kartsev ànd Savelli Seiitin are making their way to Antalya for the next stage of the World Cup.  Good luck to all the gymnasts.