Russian consumer bank VTB, sponsors of Russian gymnastics, have a nice interview with Viktoria Komova on their web pages where she affirms her desire to continue competing as long as possible, and says how hard it has been overcoming the psychological and physical effects of the injury and illness that have dogged her since 1992. There are some lovely pictures of Vika - I am showing a selection here. The Google translate is particularly poor, but I have lifted some of the highlights. I will link to more comprehensive translations if they become available.
I hope we can see Viktoria return as an all arounder - I think that is where her strength lies.
- Viktoria says she has the potential to add to her D scores, if not by half a point then at least by a few tenths. There is a possible new connection on bars. She mentions Kovacs flights as a possible development for women's UB - the Chinese are already doing this, but she herself is too tall to attempt it. And she has a good 'stock' of elements in her routines already.
- She remembers her mistake on vault in the all around, but doesn't beat herself up about it. She just uses it as learning, to help her improve her performance next time. What hurts more are the injuries she has suffered. After the Olympics, on the 28th December, she sprained an ankle. After her recovery, on the first day back in the gym, she was jogging and hurt the ankle again, ending up in plaster and on crutches. Coming back from that was so difficult - every night in bed, she would imagine going for a run in the morning, and turning the ankle again. She says it was scary and it was impossible to escape the fear for a long time.
- She says she wants to go to the next Olympics and keep competing as long as possible - as long as she has strength.
- The interviewer raises the case of Oksana Chusovitina who has now been competing since 1992 [note - the original erroneously says 'Fabrichnova' and mentions the 1992 Olympics - but of course we know they mean Chusovitina and that she began at world level in Indianapolis 1991/Goodwill Games 1990]. Vika wasn't even born in 1992! Viktoria says this is unique but if she still had the strength, why not?
- It was especially hard for her last year when, having recovered from her injury, she was ready to compete at the Russia Cup - and looking forward to the experience! Four days before the trip, she had packed her suitcase ... And then came down with meningitis, serious meningitis. So then she had to go into hospital ...
- She says that the Youth Olympics, where she won three gold medals, were a highlight for her and she was particularly delighted when (multiple World and Olympic champion pole vaulter) Elena Isinbayeva sought her out to congratulate her on her performances. She couldn't believe that Isinbayeva had watched her and wanted to congratulate her - it was a moment she will never forget. She saw Elena from a distance at the post-Olympics reception in the Kremlin, but didn't approach her, she imagines that Elena will now have forgotten about her ...
Born January 30, 1995 in Voronezh. Three-time Olympic champion Youth Games in Singapore, two-time silver medalist in London, World Champion 2011 on the uneven bars, European champion, 2012. Member of the Russian national team in gymnastics.
Source : http://vtbrussia.ru/sport/gymnastic/viktoriya-komova-navernoe-isinbaeva-menya-uzhe-sovsem-zabyla-/?utm_source=vk.com&utm_medium=public&utm_campaign=public
Good luck Vika - we will look forward to seeing you compete in Baku at the European Games in June.