Kamila Valieva: “It’s a pity that we can’t go to international competitions. But sport is about competing with the best and they all live and skate in Russia.”
Interview with Kamila Valieva. About new season, motivation and performing in shows.
source: aif.ru dd. 5th August 2022 by Alisa Hraban
The new season will be very unusual for all Russian athletes. How is it like, not to compete internationally? Do not compete with foreigners? Where do you get the strength not to lose the motivation and continue to ride?
Kamila Valieva: It’s a pity, of course, that we can’t go to international competitions. But the main rivals are all in Russia. And sport is about competitions between the best. So no doubt, the new season will be interesting, and the fight will be exciting.
Your colleague Zhenya Medvedeva told us in a recent interview that in this difficult time she advises skaters to look for motivation “in themselves, in their souls, in love for their work.” What else would you add to this line?
Kamila Valieva: I absolutely agree with Zhenya. And I would also add – the opportunity to compete with the strongest and most titled figure skaters in the world. I repeat once again: they all live and skate in Russia. And it’s an honor to compete with the best.
Many athletes have some specific landmark in their sports career – a certain medal, competitions, title. For what purpose are you willing to work more and more?
Kamila Valieva: Medals, titles, records – it’s good. And, of course, every athlete should think about it. I am no exception here. But I want many, many more interesting and memorable programs, because I have not yet been able to fully reveal myself.
Sochi was your first long tour in another city. How are the impressions?
Kamila Valieva: Indeed, this is the first tour in my life – with an ice show-fairy tale “The Scarlet Flower”. I really enjoyed performing in the ice show. This is a new and interesting experience for me. Hope I can do it again someday.
Your performances are always very sensual, but still, participation in competitions and skating in show are two different things. How difficult was it to retrain from a figure skater to a real actress?
Kamila Valieva: You know, the most difficult thing was to learn pair elements. It was not too difficult to retrain from an athlete to an actor, after all, skaters do not just skate a set of elements in their programs, we are given the task of conveying the artistic image to the audience and judges. This experience helped.
Do you feel the difference with your usual skating?
Kamila Valieva: The difference with my usual skating is that I am not alone on the ice, I have to interact with other participants of the show, and this is extremely interesting and exciting.
Another new experience for you is the love line in the script. What helps you convey the emotions and feelings of your character?
Kamila Valieva: Well, it’s not really a love line! This is a fairytale! A beautiful tale of love in the broadest sense – to loved ones first of all. And, of course, that a kind and loving heart can be hidden behind a deceptive appearance. This tale teaches that the heart cannot be deceived, that a real and sincere feeling will always overcome any hardships and difficulties. Of course, knowledge of the plot helps to show the feelings and experiences of my heroine.
In your coaching staff you are far from being the youngest figure skater, but in the show team you have to work with older colleagues. Did you manage to get in contact with them? How were you welcomed?
Kamila Valieva: What a pleasure it is to work with senior colleagues! Firstly, you feel like a child that everyone is ready to help. Secondly, you can learn something from each of your colleagues. They welcomed me very well, contact was established quickly. Thank you all very much for being with me not only on the ice, but also in my free time. We were a real friendly team. These were the happy moments of my summer 2022.
How do you think this touring experience will help you in the coming season? And how do your coaches feel about your work in show, do they see any benefit in it?
Kamila Valieva: It seems to me that any experience gained helps in sports life. At the moment, it was extremely important for me to see, understand, feel that my skating is necessary and interesting for many people. And the realization that they are waiting for me and love me will warm me for a very long time and, I hope, will help and support in the new season. Well, I can’t speak for my coaches. It’s better to ask them.
What are your plans for the end of summer? Where will we see you after the tour?
Kamila Valieva: After the tour, I will prepare for the test skates. I hope that we will meet at the end of September in Moscow.
Related topics: Kamila Valieva
Is she doped to say such a thing? In pairs, men and dance, Russia is not the strongest! What about Valieva Doping investigation ?
Is she doped to say such a stupid thing? In pairs, men and dance, Russia is not the strongest! What about Valieva Doping investigation ?
Slayed the haters
You should public that this post is all wrong! You made a mistake when translating what she said and now people is hating on her. She’s 16, what a shame. Btw, there are proof that she said the things differently.
You can always provide your translation.
Liar!!!!
You should public that this post is all wrong! You made a mistake when translating what she said and now people is hating on her. She’s 16, what a shame.
Btw, there are proofs that she said the things differently.