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| Picture of Aliya Mustafina courtesy of Aliya on Instagram |
Translation by Marina Vulis
Interview took place before the IOC decision to allow Russian gymnasts to compete at the Rio Olympics, on the 22nd July 2016
'Skipping the Olympics will not break me, but I would be hurting for the young girls'
How would you assess your readiness for the Olympics?
Everything is going well. Not everything is ideal, but at the moment it doesn't have to be. The most important thing is that I have practiced enough routines. My programme is ready, and there is enough time before the Olympics to polish up the nuances. Anyone can make mistakes, but at the Olympics I will demonstrate the best that can be squeezed out of me.
Are there any problems for the Russian team in terms of Olympics preparation?
Everything is going well. We certainly feel the support of our bank VTB, and we have no problems.
You tried the AA in Russia Cup, but skipped the event finals
I did not participate in the final because I had to meet with a doctor [from the treatment clinic in Germany] who came to see me in Moscow. I would say I am approaching my peak.
Mustafina stated that she reached her goals at the Russia Cup
You had some problems on uneven bars, related to the new supplier of the equipment. Have you got used to them?
Yes, at the beginning it was hard to get used to and to work with the stiffness of the bars, but now there are no more problems.
Quite serioiusly, do the apparatus from different suppliers differ that much?
It is like comparing a soft armchair to a stool. This is what happens on bars.
Are you going to perform on a ‘stool’?
I can’t say that the new bars are uncomfortable, it’s just that you need to get used to them.
What is your main goal at the Olympics?
To help the team. I am certainly not thinking of a gold medal
Gymnast Mustafina is so unique, no other team has such a gymnast – Lidia Ivanova
You won’t be upset with silver and bronze?
I will only be upset if I cannot help the team, nothing else will upset me.
Is it easy to be Russian team captain? Your team also has Angelina Melnikova, Seda Tutkhalyan, Daria Spiridonova and Maria Paseka. What is your assessment of the team?
You could say that it is the optimal team. There are no other solutions taking into account the possible available gymnasts.
How serious was it to lose Afanasyeva just before the Olympics?
Ksyush always had a good floor exercise and could seriously help us on this apparatus. It will be more difficult without her in the team competition.
Does the time difference play a big role for you?
I never really think much about it, and adjust quickly.
As the most experienced team member, do you feel additional responsibility at the Games?
I am used to being captain. It’s easy for me and the girls are used to it.
How is it to be the gymnastics team captain?
It’s not difficult. If I see problems, I can always help and give advice. To an extent, I play the role of a coach. After all, we only have two coaches for the team on the floor with us, and it is hard for them to manage everything.
Is 16 year old Angelina Melnikova nervous before her first Olympics?
I believe in Gelya, she will have no problems. She is a smart girl with the character of a fighter, and a good programme.
67 ‘clean’ Russian track and field athletes are not allowed to compete at the Games. What is your reaction?
I do not think this is a fair decision. They should put themselves in the athletes’ places. The guys were honestly preparing for the Olympics, training hard, working through pain, and then someone tells them ‘you are not going’. The world lacks kind people.
This Sunday, the IOC will decide on whether the entire Russian team can be allowed to compete at the Olympics. If they decide ‘no’, how serious a blow would it be for you?
I would be personally hurt if the entire Russian team were banned, and would want to see the faces of those who did it. But I will not be broken; I would be more hurt for our young girls who have not yet participated in the Olympics. They are like children for me. I remember how I prepared for my first Olympics, what I felt and the hopes I had.
Natasha Kapitonova is 16 years old and knows nothing about politics and doping – she just works. Will someone tell her ‘You will not participate at the Olympics’?. That’s a hard blow at her age.
If you miss the Olympics, will you consider continuing in sport?
I do not know, but I will be very upset. I will get away from everything and make a decision after some cooling off time. However, I hope everything will work out OK and we will go to the Olympics anyway.