Aleksandr Galliamov: “Foreign athletes wrote that they are very much looking forward to meeting again and for things to be as before.”
Interview with Aleksandr Galliamov.
original source: MatchTV dd. 6 January 2025 by Pavel Levkovich
In the interview with MatchTV, Aleksandr Galliamov told about Russian Nationals, competition with Boikova/Kozlovskii and admission of Russian skaters to Olympic qualifier competition. Here’s a translation.
“Q: I would like you to sum up the Russian Nationals.
Aleksandr Galliamov: We managed to prepare well. Yes, of course, it was unexpected to have such a lead after the short program. I knew that in the free skate I needed to make it to the end. But it seemed boring to me, so I gave all my strength to deliver a bright performance and make everyone happy.
Q: The last time a pair won the Russian Nationals twice in a row was five years ago (Evgenia Tarasova and Vladimir Morozov – note from Match TV). Did Tamara Nikolaevna Moskvina emphasize this?
Aleksandr Galliamov: No, actually, she didn’t emphasize it at all, neither before nor after. The coaching staff congratulated us nicely; everyone was in a good mood. That was the end of it. Coaches and athletes in figure skating, it seems to me, don’t dwell on such things.
Q: Right after the Russian Nationals, Tatiana Tarasova said that there was no rivalry between your pair and Sasha Boikova and Dima Kozlovskii, and that no one was stronger than your duo.
Aleksandr Galliamov: I wouldn’t say that there was no rivalry. If you look at the test skates, the majority of figure skating fans expected there to be some competition. If we go back to the Panin-Kolomenkin Memorial, we were second there after the short program. We were also second after the short program at the St. Petersburg Grand Prix stage. A little difference – and those two victories would be out of sight.
So I wouldn’t say that such a lead at the Russian Nationals speaks of a lack of competition or a one-sided season. It was very intense.
Q: During the Russian Nationals, news broke about being allowed to compete in the Olympic qualifying competition. What were your emotions at that moment?
Aleksandr Galliamov: It was clear from my expression. That’s when I found out Russians were being allowed. Before the skate, I avoided news to not get distracted. I listened to music and focused on the performance. The emotions were… a pleasant surprise, let’s say. Winning competitions, such news – a perfect day!
Q: Do such news significantly motivate you to move forward? Unfortunately, we haven’t had international competitions since 2022.
Aleksandr Galliamov: Even though we competed internally for three seasons, my goal is to push myself to the maximum. Be prepared to perform my best at the right moment. Of course, not everything depends on us. Our job is to skate on the ice.
Q: Have you received any reactions from foreign colleagues yet?
Aleksandr Galliamov: Certainly. Our pair is always in touch with foreign skaters, we communicate well. After competitions, we always celebrate each other’s success. It’s clear that no one is standing still. We share impressions after performances, and you can see that skaters abroad are not only advancing but also finding new ways and approaches to expressing ideas. By the way, almost everyone highlighted our free skate to Michael Jackson.
Q: Were the Russians also congratulated for being allowed to participate?
Aleksandr Galliamov: There were messages. They wrote that they are very much looking forward to meeting again and for things to be as before.
Q: How will you spend the holidays and rest? The preparation and competitive season must have been draining.
Aleksandr Galliamov: For me, the most difficult part wasn’t the Russian Nationals. I knew that the hardest would come after because of the rehearsals for Ilia Averbukh’s show.
So – two days at home and celebrating the New Year with my family. For the second year in a row, we leave home on January 1, so the New Year holidays are a great time for work.
Q: In a close circle and without big parties?
Aleksandr Galliamov: New Year is a family holiday. I’m used to spending it with my family.
Q: What could you commend yourself for in 2024? Both personally and in sports.
Aleksandr Galliamov: This year life has changed a bit, there were disappointments, but much more pleasant moments. I learned a lot in some aspects of life. In the new year, I’ll look at some things differently. Not to repeat the mistakes of the past year but to move smartly into 2025.
I would like to highlight one aspect. Over the past year, I’ve come to understand more the responsibility for the people around me. That includes Nastya, the coaching staff, family, fans, and even somewhat the whole country. Take the Russian Nationals, for instance. After the free skate, the entire arena applauded. That’s what responsibility is about. Over the years, it’s not just about understanding this but also realizing and living up to it.
Q: In 2024, your media presence was shocking; it was something new. Now a year has passed, does this somehow interfere with you?
Aleksandr Galliamov: Not at all, it only amuses and lightens the atmosphere from the usual routine. It helps to shake up my thinking and bring fresh ideas to figure skating. Thanks to this, I enter competitions with even more zest.
There’s another side to media presence, allowing us to draw attention to important matters. We once calculated what our cooperation with the Leningrad Zoo cost us. In a year, we paid about 100,000 rubles for all expenses, but we earned money from auctions we held among our fans. Recently, fans almost demanded that we continue to support the cormorants. And in return, we received so many publications and attention from the media, from figure skating fans, and most importantly, from those who are not fans of the sport! In the end, we are helping a zoo that has become close to us, increasing the number of enthusiasts for our sport, our pair, and pleasing fans who feel involved in this cause. And notice, this is all from the heart, not for any profit.
I regret that we couldn’t visit an orphanage with Christmas gifts. The schedule around the New Year was incredible, and we couldn’t find the time, but the toys haven’t gone anywhere. January has many holidays.
Interacting with fans shows that no special efforts are needed to be closer and more open. As far as I know, Nastya has never refused anyone an autograph or a photo. Small acts sometimes mean a lot.
Q: Has this changed your life somehow? The audience is growing.
Aleksandr Galliamov: The numbers have really increased, and athletes from our sport are known. Many write, suggesting various challenges, giveaways. It’s gratifying that the audience is no longer limited to figure skating.
Q: But are you pleased that the channel, originally considered a form of entertainment, started to bring something else?
Aleksandr Galliamov: Absolutely. It should be noted that this year we secured several very decent contracts. Over the years, I have paid more attention to recovery, so it was very fortuitous to collaborate with a company whose products are featured on our Telegram channel.
Increasing recognition leads to publications in magazines of a somewhat different level, which is also pleasing. We constantly talk to skaters, administrators of various channels, and everyone talks about how interest in pair skating has grown and keeps everyone on edge. Such moments are visible and understandable. Unfortunately, not all athletes can maintain the balance and understand the importance of popularizing our sport.
Q: What goals are you setting for yourself in the new year?
Aleksandr Galliamov: As for sports – it’s still the same. We work according to a clear plan that we have followed for years. If we’re talking about personal goals, I don’t want to plan anything grandiose, to move quietly, step by step, to the peaks.
Q: Many skaters with achievements like yours and Nastya’s often say they are tired. I gather you’re not tired?
Aleksandr Galliamov: No (laughs). Everything is just beginning, so it makes no sense to talk about any decline. I want to keep delighting everyone with results. And I myself want to continue enjoying figure skating.
Q: What would you like to wish to the fans of figure skating in 2025?
Aleksandr Galliamov: I am glad to have formed a fan base, a wonderful and pleasant team. I’m grateful to each of them for their support, both in the stands and online. I want to wish even greater love for our sport. Nastya and I will continue to delight everyone. May our interaction be even more close and enjoyable.
And to all people, not just fans, I want to wish something simple: boundless happiness, even more pleasant moments in life, to meet the New Year in a good mood. And importantly, may this good mood stay with you until the very end of 2025.”
Related topics: Anastasia Mishina Alexandr Galliamov
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