Aliya Mustafina - 'the important thing is for me to help the team'

An interview with Allsport special correspondent Maria Staroverova 

'At the European Championships I will be performing on three events - the uneven bars, balance beam and vault' said Aliya Mustafina.   

Her ankle hurts and the pain worsens when tumbling so now she can hardly tumble at all.  The most painful things are dismounts on floor and on beam; she can only do these into a pit.  At present she isn't even dismounting off beam, to try to save the leg.  She can do bars without any problems.

'Don't you want to miss the European Championships and recover better for the World Championships?'

'No, for me it is very important now to help the team, I understand what the situation is.  Almost all our key gymnasts are injured and having operations, so the team needs me to perform and support the girls.  I really like them, all the girls are young, they are all good. I am pleased to be able to advise them, where necessary. And they listen attentively. I am very pleased to be with them as a team.'

'These young girls are new, they have not yet performed in a major competition, and we do not know how they will be. They may be nervous, and on the other hand they could get it all together and do everything perfectly.  We don't know what to expect.'