“I was angry with myself first, and the fact that I was not selected for the team event was probably the culmination of emotions.” Adelina Sotnikova admitted that anger helped her to win the Olympics
Translation of the interview with Adelina Sotnikova.
original source: sport24.ru dd. 27th February by Konstantin Lesik
Interview was made at the competitions dedicated to Adelina Sotnikova’s 10th anniversary of winning the Olympics Games. Here’s a translation.
Q: Tell us about the competitions that are currently taking place.
Adelina Sotnikova: My competitions are called the “Adelina Sotnikova Cup.” I came up with it last summer when the competition plan was being drawn up. Many thanks to the Moscow Figure Skating Federation for supporting my idea. Ten years after my victory at the Olympics, I wanted to give joy and happiness to the kids, so that they strive for Olympic medals. Especially since the medals of our competitions are made in the style of the awards of Sochi-2014. I want them to feel the Olympic atmosphere, for these competitions to inspire the kids to achieve new heights. Children are our future; I want to give them the best.
Q: Do you feel that young figure skaters have changed in recent years?
Adelina Sotnikova: Nowadays, children are real prodigies! They perform incredible elements that their older colleagues cannot do. They have maximalism, they are not afraid of anything, they go full throttle.
Q: You were also called a prodigy in your time.
Adelina Sotnikova: If you compare me as a young skater with the current kids, I was far from being a prodigy. I did lutz-loop and salchow-loop combinations. And now, kids at this age are doing quadruple jumps. The difference is huge.
Q: Everything here reminds me of your triumph in Sochi. Did you celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Olympics?
Adelina Sotnikova: I didn’t specifically celebrate. I posted a video clip from the Olympics. Tears of happiness welled up. I was at work, so I didn’t celebrate in any special way.
Q: How often do you go back to that day, to that moment of triumph?
Adelina Sotnikova: Probably, when I feel sad, I want to rewatch my performances. When I miss competitions, sports activities, I start rewatching my performances, whether it’s the Olympics or the European Championships, Grand Prix stages. I feel warm in my soul remembering that I had it and how great it was. You reminisce, you feel nostalgic about your moments in sports.
In Sochi, I was so drained that when I returned to my room, I couldn’t even shed a tear. I left everything on the ice. I cried on the ice, which rarely happened to me. I’m glad I received the people’s love. Even now, many people write to me, send me gifts. I remember those wonderful moments. Thanks to this Olympics, there are now many young figure skaters in the country.
Q: It is very difficult to pull yourself together at the right moment and do your best at the main competitions in your career, but you managed it. How?
Adelina Sotnikova: Out of anger.
Q: Anger that you were not selected for the team event?
Adelina Sotnikova: Probably, it’s all together. I was angry with myself primarily for not having such a successful season. More precisely, its first half was not very successful. So, I was angry with myself first, and then with everything else. And the fact that I was not selected for the team event was probably the culmination of emotions. And the peak of anger.
Q: What are your creative plans?
Adelina Sotnikova: I hope that this competition will take place every year, and the Moscow Figure Skating Federation will approve this idea. I don’t want to reveal all my plans. I have them, and there are many. But, the quieter you go, the further you’ll get.
Q: You have already been in the role of a coach. Is it more nerve-wracking to be behind the boards than to perform?
Adelina Sotnikova: I think it’s the easiest way to have a heart attack there. It’s completely different sensations — when you’re behind the boards and when you’re skating. Now I understand Elena Germanovna very well, who stood behind the boards and worried a lot.
Q: Will you teach your son skating?
Adelina Sotnikova: I will definitely put him on skates. But what will happen next — no one knows. I think he will try many different sports. And then, maybe, he won’t want to do sports at all. In general, I definitely won’t try to make a figure skater out of him.
Related topics: Adelina Sotnikova
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