Anna Shcherbakova: “I’ve had a complex relationship with food. But the coaches didn’t monitor our diets. They didn’t check our plates – it was each athlete’s personal responsibility.”
Anna Shcherbakova reflects on nutrition and discipline in figure skating
original source: Championat / Sport-Express
Olympic champion Anna Shcherbakova opened up about her complex relationship with food during her figure skating career, emphasizing self-discipline in maintaining weight, managing restrictions, and finding balance even after major victories like the Olympics. Here’s a translation of her comments.
“Q: Did your coaches monitor your diet?
Anna Shcherbakova: For 10 years, I followed the same strict schedule. Discipline is incredibly important for achieving top results. Nowadays, it’s harder to stick to a routine because of travel, time zone changes, and late-night rehearsals.
Q: And what about food?
Anna Shcherbakova: I’ve had a complex relationship with food, always searching for the perfect balance. Of course, I want to indulge in something delicious, but at the same time, proper, rational nutrition is essential. There were certain restrictions, but the coaches didn’t monitor our diets, neither before nor after competitions. They didn’t check our plates – it was each athlete’s personal responsibility. The most important thing was maintaining weight.
Q: Alexander Ovechkin once mentioned having a drink after matches. Is that something found in figure skating?
Anna Shcherbakova: Considering that women’s figure skating often includes athletes under 18, it’s not really an appropriate topic, – said the Beijing 2022 Olympic champion.”
When asked whether she indulged in any “forbidden” foods after her Olympic victory, Shcherbakova admitted to occasional cravings.
“Did I want to eat something indulgent? Yes, I think I’ve always had a complicated relationship with food – both during my competitive career and even in the year or two afterward. I’m still constantly searching for that perfect balance, figuring out how to enjoy something tasty while staying disciplined and maintaining good form to keep competing.
The restrictions were especially tough during the final year of my career, as I was also maturing during that time.
After a particularly good performance – after the Olympics, I believe – we had access to a 24-hour cafeteria. One night, we went there as a big group and ate ice cream. It’s a fun memory,” said the 2022 Olympic champion.
Related topics: Anna Shcherbakova
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