Elizaveta Tuktamysheva: “I want to live my life without missing out on any opportunities”
Short interview with Elizaveta Tuktamysheva. About being famous, Olympics, plans for the future and popularity of figure skating.
source: sportsdaily.ru dd. 22d July 2021 by Alexandr Kavokin
A month ago, it was announced that you entered the top 50 most famous people of St. Petersburg. Are you flattered by such recognition?
Elizaveta Tuktamysheva: Of course, it’s nice that I was included in this list. I was handed a red dog statuette. It was a very cool outdoor event.
Are you recognized on the streets of St. Petersburg? Can you calmly walk along Nevsky Prospekt so that no one calls out?
Elizaveta Tuktamysheva: Yes, I can. I’m not often recognized without bright makeup and skates. Everyone says that I look different on the ice.
Due to the coronavirus, do you have any concerns about communicating with fans right now?
Elizaveta Tuktamysheva: It’s a little scary to be in contact with people, so I minimize this as much as possible.
Do you plan to stay in St. Petersburg after your career ends?
Elizaveta Tuktamysheva: I plan to stay in St. Petersburg, but naturally I will consider places where I will like the work. I am a man of the world. I would like to visit different countries, to understand a different mentality.
After finishing your career, do you see yourself in figure skating only? Or maybe show business?
Elizaveta Tuktamysheva: I am open to new proposals. It will be interesting for me to try a different activity besides figure skating. Maybe not directly show business, but I’d like to discover something else creative in my life.
Start singing?
Elizaveta Tuktamysheva: Definitely not singing. With my voice (smiles). Let’s see what the proposals will be. I’m not going to refuse. I want to live my life without missing out on any opportunities.
Now let’s talk about figure skating. Your cooperation with Alexei Mishin has been around for many years. What is the secret of such longevity? Nowadays skaters change coaches frequently: they leave, then they come back.
Elizaveta Tuktamysheva: It seems to me that we match in characters. We have a very strong respect for each other, and such a long-term union only strengthens our cooperation. This is more than just an athlete and a coach. Alexei Nikolaevich is my mentor. I am immensely grateful to fate that we met. I’ve never thought about parting. Alexei Nikolaevich always keeps up with the times and tries to be innovative in his approach to work.
The next season is Olympic. You haven’t had the Winter Games in your life yet. Where was it more hurtful not to get to: Sochi or Pyeongchang?
Elizaveta Tuktamysheva: Sochi. In the previous season, I won the Russian Nationals and was one of the contenders for a trip to the Olympics. Not getting to the Olympics in Pyeongchang I took calmly, I’ve already had experience.
Have you analyzed after why you didn’t get to the Sochi Olympics? What happened at the qualifying Russian Nationals, where you took only 10th place?
Elizaveta Tuktamysheva: I have entered a transitional age. Plus, I probably couldn’t bear it psychologically.
What do you need to do to get to the Beijing Olympics?
Elizaveta Tuktamysheva: I need to be in my optimal condition. And squeeze the maximum out of myself. I need to be in good shape already at the beginning of the season.
Is there any regret that Russia has only three spots in the women’s skating at the Olympics? We could easily send four skaters, given the strength of our team.
Elizaveta Tuktamysheva: Then the athletes from other countries will have less chances to win a medal, and interest in figure skating may fall.
If you don’t make it to the Beijing, will you try to get to the 2026 Games?
Elizaveta Tuktamysheva: It’s too early to talk about it. I will go with the flow (smiles).
You have won all titles except the Olympics. Will you consider your career to be fulfilling if you fail to perform at the Games?
Elizaveta Tuktamysheva: Yes, I have a very rich career. History is always important to me, not just victories. To leave some mark in the hearts of people after the end of my career.
Do you think that after your, Alina Zagitova and Evgenia Medvedeva retire, the popularity of women’s skating in Russia will decline?
Elizaveta Tuktamysheva: They haven’t announced their retirement yet. It’s too early to talk about it. We have a very cool young generation growing up. It seems to me that the popularity of women’s skating will not subside. We’ll have someone to talk about.
Related topics: Elizaveta Tuktamysheva
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