Evgenia Medvedeva: “I’ve never ran back and forth from coaches. Everything Kostornaia does is for herself. If she feels happy, then she doesn’t need to change anything.”
Interview with Evgenia Medvedeva. About photo shoot for a men’s magazine, shows, Alexandra Trusova and Alena Kostornaia.
source: matchtv.ru dd. 22d April 2022 by Mikhail Goncharov
What was the most unexpected feedback about a photo shoot for a men’s magazine?
Evgenia Medvedeva: Feedback? I didn’t spend much time on social networks, there wasn’t much at that time. But among the comments, I would not single out anything. It is clear that people are divided into two camps: those who support and those who are against. Well, what’s the difference (laughs)? The main thing is that I enjoyed it. The cover is great! There are actually a lot of positive comments.
Did the positive feedback reassure you that you did everything right?
Evgenia Medvedeva: I just know that I did everything right (laughs). I am very grateful to people who expressed their comments personally.
How did your loved ones react to the photo shoot?
Evgenia Medvedeva: I wouldn’t do it without the approval of my loved ones. There’re only lova and support around me. Support for my every step, decision. Everything is positive.
About figure skating. Alexei Yagudin believes that Trusova should first perform consistently a simpler jump without falling. And then try quintuple. Is he right?
Evgenia Medvedeva: In fact, Alexei Yagudin says a lot. Especially on social networks. I don’t know.
A lot of things have been said, right or wrong? I think that he’s wrong, because Sasha performs all her quadruple elements quite consistently. If you look at the free program in the individual competitions at the Olympic Games, then she skated it perfectly and clean. The content was done well: in a certain place and at a certain time, so why not try a quintuple if a person wants to? This is the development of our sport. Why should we be against it?
In your opinion, is she ready for the quintuple jump?
Evgenia Medvedeva: Oh, I think she’s ready. It’s Sasha, she can handle it.
Should Zhenya Semenenko, when he recovers, continue to perform in the show? (Semenenko had a hard fall at the Evgeni Plushenko’s show and got a concussion – ed.)
Evgenia Medvedeva: I am not the family of Zhenya Semenenko, so first of all, the guy needs to be wished great health, because the fall was very unpleasant. First, I did not want to watch it, because I painfully perceive such injuries and falls, but I decided that I should know how this happened.
As far as I know, Zhenya is more or less fine now. He replies to messages from friends. We wish him good health, and then he will make his own decision.
What is your attitude to ice shows?
Evgenia Medvedeva: Only positive, because for the past two years the ice show has been my companion. My main job is as a figure skater, so I can’t feel bad about it.
Are there big differences from competitions?
Evgenia Medvedeva: Oh yeah! Light, size of the rink, possible features of the costume, absence of a six-minute warm-up. Everything is completely different. These are completely different events compared with the World, European Championships or Russian Nationals. Two different paths.
Is it difficult for active skaters to adjust to this format?
Evgenia Medvedeva: It was difficult for me. Especially when there were gala after major competitions. You seem to be winning a major competitions, but then you go to exhibitions and get lost in the dark, falling from all your jumps. Everyone is surprised: “What is this? Medvedeva lost her shape.” Not!
In fact, it is difficult for active athletes who always work in bright light to adjust. I’ve sort of adjusted. Now all my work as a figure skater is built in the dark, for me this is more familiar. If they let me out under the spotlights on the ice now, then I will simply get lost under the unusual light.
What should Kostornaia gain in order to stop rushing from one coach to another? What does she lack?
Evgenia Medvedeva: You know, I’ve never had such a thing that I ran back and forth. Everything she does is for herself. If she feels happy, then she doesn’t need to change anything. I have such an opinion.
Do you advise her not to change anything?
Evgenia Medvedeva: I do not advise anything, let her live her own life.
About publicity: Buzova and Guberniev are the best showmen of our time?
Evgenia Medvedeva: These are, of course, public people who are known by the whole country, but I have not yet formed any specific opinion. Perhaps that’s because I did not communicate with them personally. Maybe we need to communicate more in order to understand what kind of people they are, what they think and what they say.
Is publicity important for an athlete in the modern world?
Evgenia Medvedeva: I think so. In our times, media, business and sports should go hand in hand. Each athlete should have his own team. I personally develop my own brand in both media and sports. I have a team that does general business. I think we are doing everything right.
Related topics: Alena Kostornaia, Alexandra Trusova, Evgenia Medvedeva
No, never… :)