Ekaterina Kurakova: “Sadly, people in Russia aren’t happy. I constantly receive death threats and hateful comments after my performances. I used to ignore it, but some things truly hurt. Like “You’re a disgrace to Poland.”
Translation of the interview with Ekaterina Kurakova about her goals and changes in her career.
Interview is kindly provided by Mateusz Gorecki
Original source: przegladsportowy.onet.pl dd. 26th January 2024 by Mateusz Gorecki
English translation: A
“Mateusz Gorecki: I don’t think you’ve had a silver medal from the Warsaw Cup before.
Ekaterina Kurakova: That’s right! Now I finally have the full set. Previously, I won a bronze and three gold medals. But I’m not upset that I didn’t stand on the highest step of the podium. The silver feels like gold because, unfortunately, the start of the season has been difficult for me, and I haven’t shown good results.
I didn’t want to start with this but since you did…
Ekaterina Kurakova: I know that the results are not what everyone expects. I can admit: yes, it’s not good. I’m not wearing rose-colored glasses and won’t pretend everything is wonderful. However, many changes occurred before this season, so I try to be patient and understanding with myself. We are in the middle of a process, and I trust it will bring the right results. I’m confident that I’m on the right path; I just need a little more time.
What is your biggest problem right now?
Ekaterina Kurakova: With my new coach, Florent Amodio, we are changing my technique, including my skating and jumps, essentially everything. This is probably why I’m currently struggling with my jumps, and they’re harder for me to perform. My body just needs to adjust to the changes.
Maybe it will be like last season? Back then, you started off slowly, but at the World Championships, you achieved your personal best and were eleventh.
Ekaterina Kurakova: On one hand, I would like the scenario to repeat itself because this year’s World Championships are the qualifying event for the Olympic Games in Milan. On the other hand, I completely failed at the European Championships and didn’t make it to the free program. I wouldn’t want that to happen again.
Last season was tough for you. What did you learn about yourself?
Ekaterina Kurakova: It definitely made me even stronger. I had always thought of myself as a strong person, but now I realize it was just an impression. It’s easy to be strong when everything is going well and results are satisfactory. I had to stop seeing the world through rose-colored glasses and admit to myself that things weren’t right and I needed changes. Sometimes it’s hard, and you make excuses, telling yourself it’s temporary. Last season, I faced the truth and told myself, ‘Katia, you’re doing something wrong.’ It was necessary, the World Championships showed me that. I proved to myself that I’m a fighter and I came back, even though my earlier performances had been very weak.
Did you also decide it was time to change coaches then?
Ekaterina Kurakova: Yes. We sat down and had an honest conversation with my previous coach, Angelina Turenko. We concluded that our personalities didn’t match. There was a lack of understanding and mutual trust. Sometimes that happens. I’m very grateful for everything she did for me. We even met at the competition in Warsaw, and it was a nice encounter.
I get the impression that vibing with your coach is extremely important to you.
Ekaterina Kurakova: It’s probably one of the most important factors. Of course, a coach must be a professional and know their craft, but I will always prioritize a good person over a great specialist. Right now, I’m lucky because Florent is both a professional and a wonderful person.
I’ve noticed that you two get along really well. Is it already a friendship?
Ekaterina Kurakova: I try not to cross that boundary because I know it can have consequences. A coach needs to set expectations for me, and I need to treat him with respect. That’s the right dynamic. I want Florent to be my last coach, so I’m determined to nurture our relationship.
I know he fought hard for you to join his group.
Ekaterina Kurakova: He first reached out to me in 2021. Three years later, he contacted me again. Initially, he just wanted to support me after the disappointing European Championships. He didn’t expect anything in return. When everyone thought I was in a terrible place, he said, ‘You know what? You’re great. This is just sport. Believe in yourself.’
I kept those words in my mind during the World Championships, where I achieved my personal best. I even saw him in the stands during my training, and I felt that he not only wanted me as an athlete but also supported me as a person. I really appreciate that.
It’s no secret that I don’t have the easiest personality. And he doesn’t either (laughs). Sometimes we have to bite our tongues, especially me. What’s most important to me is that no matter whether I achieve a good or bad result, he is there for me. He doesn’t turn away from me, even if I perform as poorly as possible. He takes me aside, we talk, and he does everything to make me feel better.
At the end of March, you’ll be competing for an Olympic qualification at the World Championships. Three years ago, at the Beijing Olympics, Polish fans loved you. That was also one of the best performances of your career. It seems to me you’ve changed a lot since then.
Ekaterina Kurakova: I’ve changed a lot as a person. Back then, I thought I was so mature and self-aware. Now I’d like to tell my younger self, ‘Baby! Calm down. What could you possibly know?’ Only now do I feel more grounded and see the world differently. I’m still a perfectionist. Even if I skate flawlessly, without any falls, I’ll still tell myself it could have been better. But I’m more understanding toward myself. Before, I hated myself after a poor skate and would dwell on it for weeks.
Now I know that these unsuccessful performances can teach me the most only if I draw the right conclusions. After good skates, you don’t analyze or think about what went wrong — you simply enjoy the moment. Failures allow for greater progress.
Would it be an overstatement to say that in Beijing you were still a girl, and now you’ve become a woman?
Ekaterina Kurakova: Definitely. This also applies to physical aspects. My body has changed significantly over these years. Back then, I was literally a small, petite girl. Time has passed, and my body is now more womanly. It took me a long time to accept this. It might sound strange, but I needed time to get used to it.
That’s an important topic, and it’s rarely discussed in sports.
Ekaterina Kurakova: The changes are simply terrible, and I’m not surprised that many athletes end their careers during this phase. I would have never believed it if someone had told me I’d have such poor performances. I would’ve thought it impossible — I had always skated cleanly. Suddenly, I started making so many mistakes. It’s a situation where you step onto the ice and can’t feel your body. When you jump, you can’t control your body. And the worst part is that you don’t know how to explain it. After all, I was training the same way, maybe even harder.
Before, I didn’t even need to warm up. I would show up for training, step onto the ice, and effortlessly perform triple jumps. Now? ‘Good luck, have fun.’ I don’t even try without warming up. I also never used to stretch after competitions. My body recovered instantly, and I didn’t have any injuries. Today, I know that if I don’t go for a run and stretch after a competition, I’ll wake up sore and won’t be able to get out of bed.
You said that figure skaters often end their careers when they start puberty. Did you think about ending your career too?
Ekaterina Kurakova: Yes. After the European Championships in January, I decided to end my career. It lasted two weeks. I felt I couldn’t take it anymore. I couldn’t answer the question of what was happening and why my results were so poor. I was so lost…
During those two weeks, I went to London. I just bought tickets without telling anyone. I sent my parents a photo, and my mom asked, ‘Why did you go?’ I didn’t know the answer. I think I just wanted to change the atmosphere. Later, I went to other places, including Paris. I walked a lot — over 100 kilometers in four days. I didn’t even know where I was heading. I just walked and thought.
You cleared your mind.
Ekaterina Kurakova: Probably yes. I realized how much I missed the ice rink. For two weeks, I lived a life that wasn’t mine. I was wrong to think it was the end. I wanted to come back, even though I knew it would be very difficult. I told myself I could handle it. I want to be a role model for those young girls. I want to show that it’s possible to survive the transition from being a teenager to a woman.
Look, every Olympic champion in recent years has been a girl who retired shortly after: Anna Shcherbakova, Alina Zagitova, Adelina Sotnikova, Julia Lipnitskaya. Where are those girls now? I want to be an example that it’s possible to come back and achieve good results again. Will I succeed? I don’t know. But I believe in success.
You hope Florent will be your last coach and that you’re heading toward the Olympics together. From what you’ve said, I gather you might retire after Milan.
Ekaterina Kurakova: If you had asked me a year ago, I would have said with 100% certainty that I’d quit. Now, I won’t make any declarations. We’ll see what my health allows. But I can finally say that skating brings me joy. Even when my results are poor, I enjoy what I do.
Fans are probably also a big motivation for you to stay in the sport. At the Warsaw Cup—on the Torwar ice rink, fans waited a long time after the competition to take photos with you and give you gifts.
Ekaterina Kurakova: Absolutely. I want to continue bringing joy to my fans. I also feel a kind of pressure because I know they’re counting on me. That’s why I was so stressed about the possibility of finishing in Warsaw without a medal. My fan club always shows up in the stands here. This year, they gave me a little jar filled with stars, each inscribed with reasons why they appreciate me. Very cute!
One day, when the time comes to hang up your skates for good, will you stay in Poland?
Ekaterina Kurakova: I love Poland, and I love the people who live here. I dream of staying here for good because I feel very happy here. I don’t know if you’ll understand this, but when you land at an airport, you can sense a distinct smell. Every country has its own. When I land at the Chopin Airport in Warsaw and breathe in the air, I know I’m home.
So, what does Poland smell like?
Ekaterina Kurakova: Happiness, hope, home.
Your family is in Russia. Would you like to bring them to Poland?
Ekaterina Kurakova: I really would. My mom has a Polish passport and can visit me without any problems. Unfortunately, my dad doesn’t have one. When they could still travel freely and visit me, I was happy to have them by my side.
Sadly, people in Russia aren’t happy. I constantly receive death threats and hateful comments after my performances. This season, it’s been much worse, probably because of my results. I used to ignore it, but some things truly hurt.
Is there anything that hurt particularly deeply?
Ekaterina Kurakova: I read a comment saying that “I am a disgrace to Poland.” That hurt because no one can imagine how grateful I am to represent this country and call myself Polish. If someone thinks it’s shameful, so be it. I know that I will do everything to make Poland proud of me. I want to repay everything I’ve received from you.”
Related topics: Ekaterina Kurakova
A bit late to start changing jumping technique. Many polish people love Poland, from the distance, exactly like Ekaterina;) Good luck to her.
Wow. Such a personality she has ! She’s great !