I swear I'm not doing this on purpose
HE'S TAKING OVER THE COMM. AGAIN.
End of the season and wrap-up - an excellent opportunity to talk heart to heart with one of the most prominent figures in the world of skating. Nikolai Morozov has been part of the skating world for a long time, but little is known about him. While he is in the shadow of such masters as Tarasova, and Mishin, but he is still considered an in demand coach. Morozov has evolved from a little-known choreographer to the absolutely wealthy coach who can instill athletes personality and style. And now, inspired by the idea of Sochi, he wants to return to Russia to train Russian skaters.
So, it's time to "come out of the shadows"
COACH
C: Nikolai, you - one of the world's most successful figure skating coach. And any other sports you enjoy?
No, I do not even have time for it. But on the other hand, I like it like that. I love my work. Even on vacation I can not go more than three days, without calling my students and asking how they are getting on. I cannot be without work. Spare time, I simply do not need.
C: Then let's talk about you closely. This figure skating season has turned out longer than usual. How was it for your group of athletes and for you personally?
It was very successful. This year my skaters have won the European championship and the worlds. I am happy: all the work hasn't been for nothing! (Smiling)
C: And what can you say about Russian athletes? More recently, the World Championships has brought to our skaters the silver and bronze. This is a success?
Absolutely. Moreover, it was more than was expected from our athletes.
C: Figure skating in Russia is almost a national sport, the lack of medals, it is akin to the tragedy. Do skaters feel a huge amount of pressure from this?
Personally, I have not experienced this, I've just started working in Russia. I have, until recently only one Russian figure skater - Sergey Voronov, but he was not selected for the Worlds. He had an injury during the season, and I'm glad that he did not participate in Mosocw. Sometimes a bad season for skaters - this is also helpful.
C: It motivates an athlete?
Yes, definitely. Any crisis situation leads to progress.
C: We all remember the "golden generation" of our skaters - Yagudin, Plushenko, Slutskaya, Berezhnaya & Sikharulidze. Is it true that during their success, we did not bring up a new, competitive generation, and this explains the subsequent failures of the Russian athletes?
The point, rather, is that many young athletes who have appeared then, just could not go to big tournaments, because the skaters that you have listed, constantly won prizes. Young people had no opportunity to even try to compete with them. That is why many of them quite early finished their career, some went to ice shows, because they saw no prospects and understood that it was unlikely they would be able to compete with the stars.
C: So, the thing is that young skaters just did not believe that they are able to reach the same heights?
Yes, exactly.
SPECTATOR
C: Why have America's ice shows have long been a popular entertainment, while in Russia, it's a relatively new phenomenon?
Now similar shows in the U.S. are no longer as popular as before. Several years ago, they enjoyed great success since they involved the stars. Now that is the case here, because the ice show in Russia have gathered the real stars of figure skating past. The Skaters of 'golden generation' that we talked about retired, and it made sense to use them in such projects. As always happens when a country has the names that the public loves.
C: And because of these shows in recent years skating has become incredibly popular, if not fashionable.
Yes, and this is thanks to the people who create these projects.
C: One of the first was created by Olympic medalist Ilia Averbukh. Have you seen any of these shows? You can share your impressions?
To be honest, I have not seen a single project, however, I have heard a lot that their level is very high. Still, they are professionals, because money can not in principle be bad. As for the athletes, I am glad that they have the opportunity to earn money and act in their own country for which they have done so much. If it were not for these shows, many former skaters would be left without work.
C: You were offered to take part in some of these TV projects?
Yes, proposed long ago, when they had just appeared. Then the TV channel "Russia" invited me to participate in the show, but I refused, because you can not simultaneously train athletes, and be engaged in similar "theater" projects. Maybe someone can succeed at this, but I have so many skaters that I could not combine the two cases. I am interested in sports, so I declined.
C: The ice show is often criticized for discrediting the sport, suggesting that virtually every person in a relatively short time, can learn to skate like a pro. Is that so
No, this is wrong. I myself have heard many times this point of view, but people do not really understand the show and the sport did not overlap. True, ice-TV projects a very positive impact on the image of figure skating in Russia.
C: In these programs its often joked that the stars of show business can be turned into Olympic athletes. Joking aside, but theoretically possible for a few years to derive an untrained person to such a level that he could just to be able to take part in these competitions?
No, it is quite impossible. To take part in these competitions, you need to work all your life.
FIGURE SKATER
C: You started skating aged four years of skating. Admit it, you have a childhood, it was?
Of course, it was, and how? (idk i cant make this bit make sense)
C: ... And it was at the rink?
Yes! (Laughs.) I can not complain about my childhood.
C: And what about school?
In the morning I practiced on the rink, and then there was a school day and at night - back to the rink.
C: Many skaters begin to train in one form of figure skating, and then go to another. In your case it was a transition from a single male to ice dance. Did you find it hard during this period?
My transition took place quite late, I was almost seventeen. Of course, it was not easy, we had to change because single skating is in fact another sport. They are entirely different in both sports and psychologically. A ssingle skater is responsible only for himself, but the pair have to think also for the partner. You can spoil everything for two, and it is possible, on the contrary, to mitigate another's mistake. But you do not jump, and at first seems like it is less complicated. But you need to build relationships in the pair. Some skaters are constantly fighting. But now I'm equally easy to train single skaters or couples
C: Why did you chose to go to ice dance, instead of trying pairs where you would have still had the jumps?
My jumps were not improving. So I turned to ice dance
C: Would you have prefered to be a singles skater?
No, I like ice dance, I was able to reach an entirely new level and now I have absolutely no regrets about my move.
C: During your athletic career you have had four partners. Apparently, you do know firsthand that the relationship in a pair do not always add up. Is that why your competitive career was finished when you were just 23?
Well, yes, there was no reason to stay longer because the dance - it is a long sport in the sense that to achieve results you don't just have to be a good skater. You need another kind of seniority, to wait for their victory. And I decided that it makes no sense to me to continue doing it.
C: It seems that you have a very thankless sport. Athletes train for hours every day, receiving serious injuries, many finish their careers before they are 25 and after a while no one remembers them. And, knowing all this, many young guys still want to be skaters. What is their motivation?
In my case, the explanation is simple. I was skating at the age of perestroika, when the very possibility of traveling to competitions, meet different people seemed to be something fantastic. I trained in America, and the motivation to continue those grueling training was because it gave the prospect of escape from my ordinary life and to reach an entirely different level. Now its harder to find that motivation, because in Russia today, life is not worse than abroad. And young people, of course, are well aware that for the sake of good results would have to sacrifice a lot, but there are no guarantees that you will become a champion
CHOREOGRAPHER
C: The fame came to you after the completion of your athletic career. You first attracted attention in 2002 when Alexei Yagudin won the Olympics, skating to a program that your created for him...
To be honest, the start of my coaching career has gradually been forgotten. Since then I constantly worked with skaters of a high level and I have in front of them the same responsibility as a doctor before patients. Anyway, I perceive it that way. If something is not done properly, the athlete will not get results, and this can completely change the path of his life.
C:Do you remember the day when the decided to retire? Such crucial decisions are always difficult to accept - always afraid what will happen next.
Of course, terrible. Especially since I had not the slightest idea what to do in the future, because, except for skating there was nothing I was qualified to do. I flirted with the idea to go back to studying, to learn a completely new profession.
C: Tatiana Tarasova, your former coach, asked you to help her as a choreographer?
Yes. Apparently, she saw some kind of flair in me. During my work with Tarasova, I can say, I learnt a great deal from her experience. It was also very helpful that I almost immediately started to work with outstanding athletes. I am sure that if I hadn't been able to start in this way I wouldn't have had the same success later.
C: But you still have parted ways with Tatiana A. and began to work independently.
The reason was the usual confusion. It does not even have any relevance to figure skating, it was a personal relationship - just the circumstances.
C: And this led to your metamorphosis from choreographer to coach?
I simply had no choice, because when we parted with Tatiana A., I was left with a lot of athletes and there was no time even to understand, reflect the situation. I just kept doing the same thing as always.
MUSCOVITE
C: Several years ago, coaches and skaters complained about the lack in our country, of the normal infrastructure for training - it was more convenient to live and train in America. In recent years something has changed in this sense?
Yes, we have a lot of rinks - in virtually every area, and they are all in good condition. I think in recent years, the infrastructure is much improved. Although for me personally it does not matter much: I can train in Italy, France and Japan. My students have to follow me.
C: Before, many athletes left to go where there are facilities for training, and you're a good example of this. In connection with the improvement of infrastructure in Russia has the trend been reversed?
Basically, the entire Russian team, of course, trained in Moscow and St. Petersburg. In Russia, it is now very comfortable and are furnished completely comfortable.
C: The state helps with this?
The state now tries to help the sport. This, incidentally, has never been before. At one of our recent meetings Alexey Mishin also noted that for the first time he sees a strong support of sports. It is very happy! Of course, officials are doing everything correctly, not wanting to have our athletes trained somewhere abroad. The restaurant is open, garages built - it's time to think about the sport.
C: You too, were "poached". And your skaters like to come to Moscow with you?
On the one hand, they have no choice, but on the other - they do not mind. Moscow - a good city, there are always places to go, things to do. I am also here very much
C: Amd you decided to switch to Moscow to mostly work with Russian athletes?
Yes, I am inspired by the fact that the Olympic Games will be held in Russia. I'm still a Russian, born in Moscow.
C: How long have you lived in America?
Sixteen years.
C: Are you bored in Moscow?
I come to Moscow once a year and, of course, I miss it. But when you come and stand in a traffic jam for four hours, I want to go back. (Laughs) But in general I always feel comfortable. I have so much travel that often and I do not spend two weeks in one place.
C: A favorite place to travel?
Paris. My first wife was French, and I know the city well. I like to visit there: restaurants, small streets, the Seine, Notre Dame.
Where then is your home - in America, France or still in Russia?
Now I do not understand. On the one hand, I've always had a house here, in Moscow, but on the other - I rarely come home: in October, left, and returned in late March. Although this year I was there more often.
PSYCHOLOGIST
C: It is believed that when training with you, athletes can develop their own indiviual style. How do you go about this?
Its different with each person. I love this complexity. For example, when Yagudin began to train with Tarasova, for the first two years no one had any idea that he can beat Plushenko. But in the end Yagudin won his three World Championships and yes even the Olympic Games in the bargain. And here's another example. I spent five years with the Japanese skaters. The Japanese - a very emotional people, but they are taught from childhood to hide feelings. It took me four years to get Miki Ando to show any emotions. It is the only person in the whole of Japan, who can afford it! I am very interested in this psychological process to see if I can get a person to "open up"..
C: Many skaters, living and working in close proximity end up in relationships. Is it really the case , working constantly together, that athletes, not only do not get tired of each other, but can even fall in love?
Skaters have a vrey intense sort of life. Many couples do not have this sort of relationship, because they do not go through the great emotional higs and lows which athletes do. From this relationship becomes stronger. In addition, it is very hard for skaters to be with someone else, talking at night about something not related to sports. Even if there is an opportunity to see someone from another sphere, skaters are so dedicated they are drawn to "their own"(laughing).
C: That is, they are ready not only to train intensely, but they spend all the remaining time discussing training and competition?
Exactly. We have a very rich sport and there is always something to talk about.
C: They say that parting does not benefit the couple. As someone who is constantly on the move, do you think it is true that it makes relatinships more difficult?
Yes, definitely. But this applies not only to married couples in figure skating, but also any other. I unfortunately don't have an answer to this question...
C: You broke up with two wives, both skaters. You too found it easy build relationships with representatives of your profession?
Yes, easily. Although, frankly, I've never been involved with anyone outside skating so I don't know if it only works on skaters (Laughs) The difficulty in the fact that the world of figure skating is too small: we all know each other well. If you broke up with someone, it is unlikely that you will never see them again. This is possible in normal life, but not in figure skating. The same applies to people from ballet and ballroom dancing. But usually, one of the pair will leave, move, realising it is better for both. .The reasons for this may be the most common, too, just athletes are always more visible, there is more attention on their personal life.
C: It is often said that the personal life of creative people is reflected in their work. Is this true for you?
Whatever happens, good or bad - it always makes me work better. And if there are troubles in your personal life, the work can be neglected.
C: A creative crisis perhaps?
Not for me (laughing).
MANIPULATOR
C: Do you try to control your pupils off the ice?
I work with them every day, so I know everything about them. Of course, I do not go and check, for example, that they are sleeping or not. (Laughs.) But between the coach and athlete have to be full trust, otherwise nothing happens. And why should I give a skater all my time and effort if he does not return them back?
C: Any coach, working on programs for figure skaters, trys to understand and reveal the character and the possibility of an athlete ...
I always try to proceed from the nature of each individual. For example, Florent Amodio comes to the rink listening to music all the time, hip-hop, rap. I see it, and certainly I'm not going to make him skate to Rachmaninoff. But I do not always get it right and if it not suitable to the skater we need to move forward, develop.
C: In one of the programs for Amodio you used music with lyrics, even though the judges could deduct points. Wasn't he worried about this?
Well, let them take points! Of course, Florent was a little scared, but all of my athletes trust me. Besides, he did not claim the medal, so it does not matter what he will eventually place - sixth, seventh ... Worlds is only about the top three positions. Never be afraid to take risks, and this situation was for me the perfect opportunity!
C: But in the end he didn't lose points. Do you know why?
Apparently, the judges after his skate were so confused that they did not realize that they should make a deduction. But he's skated well! And if he had skated poorly, fell a few times, what would everyone say? "What an idiot came up with the program? Not only that, they took the music with lyrics, and the athlete falls all the time!" And if he, on the contrary, skated well enough to get bronze would he have been properly marked if he used that music? Not every coach will take that risk. But I was wondering and it was important to understand how strong this athlete is. It was a test, although I had no doubt that everything would be fine. In any case, what good is it to be like everyone else if it interests no one?
And people with complex characters with whom hard work, motivate you, too?
Yes, and more! For example, when I first started coaching, all my athletes were older than I am. In addition, they were more and more titled - they used to beat me, until I became their coach.
C: Looking down on you?
Perhaps at first it was so. But it passed very quickly.
C: What did you do? Behaved like "a macho guy" or, conversely, tried to play down your coaching authority?
No, I just tried to be honest and open, to help, not wanting any personal gain.
C: Does seeing your athletes succed compensate for the fact that your own competitive career was for various reasons not that successful?
Probably not. I will say more: I have trained skaters who get good results and that is not what particularly interests me. Most important - it's not to win competitions, but to be able to change that person so that they think correctly and live properly. Otherwise, my work has failed. The fact that an athlete has a medal? Won - so what? After all, life does not end with a medal, for many it is just the beginning. Many athletes have won the Olympics, and did nothing. It is very important to know what to do next after winning the medal, how to continue to progress, earn money and still be a good person, so you continue to be loved by the fans and friends.
C: You like to change something in people?
Yes, of course. Otherwise, what's the point? This teaches athletes to live, they become strong, confident, responsible for themselves. I think I make them do what they do not expect from myself. That sort of thing pushes them and me
C: You are - in a good sense of the word - a manipulator?
Of course.
sry for the clunkiness, it's mostly google translate
End of the season and wrap-up - an excellent opportunity to talk heart to heart with one of the most prominent figures in the world of skating. Nikolai Morozov has been part of the skating world for a long time, but little is known about him. While he is in the shadow of such masters as Tarasova, and Mishin, but he is still considered an in demand coach. Morozov has evolved from a little-known choreographer to the absolutely wealthy coach who can instill athletes personality and style. And now, inspired by the idea of Sochi, he wants to return to Russia to train Russian skaters.
So, it's time to "come out of the shadows"
COACH
C: Nikolai, you - one of the world's most successful figure skating coach. And any other sports you enjoy?
No, I do not even have time for it. But on the other hand, I like it like that. I love my work. Even on vacation I can not go more than three days, without calling my students and asking how they are getting on. I cannot be without work. Spare time, I simply do not need.
C: Then let's talk about you closely. This figure skating season has turned out longer than usual. How was it for your group of athletes and for you personally?
It was very successful. This year my skaters have won the European championship and the worlds. I am happy: all the work hasn't been for nothing! (Smiling)
C: And what can you say about Russian athletes? More recently, the World Championships has brought to our skaters the silver and bronze. This is a success?
Absolutely. Moreover, it was more than was expected from our athletes.
C: Figure skating in Russia is almost a national sport, the lack of medals, it is akin to the tragedy. Do skaters feel a huge amount of pressure from this?
Personally, I have not experienced this, I've just started working in Russia. I have, until recently only one Russian figure skater - Sergey Voronov, but he was not selected for the Worlds. He had an injury during the season, and I'm glad that he did not participate in Mosocw. Sometimes a bad season for skaters - this is also helpful.
C: It motivates an athlete?
Yes, definitely. Any crisis situation leads to progress.
C: We all remember the "golden generation" of our skaters - Yagudin, Plushenko, Slutskaya, Berezhnaya & Sikharulidze. Is it true that during their success, we did not bring up a new, competitive generation, and this explains the subsequent failures of the Russian athletes?
The point, rather, is that many young athletes who have appeared then, just could not go to big tournaments, because the skaters that you have listed, constantly won prizes. Young people had no opportunity to even try to compete with them. That is why many of them quite early finished their career, some went to ice shows, because they saw no prospects and understood that it was unlikely they would be able to compete with the stars.
C: So, the thing is that young skaters just did not believe that they are able to reach the same heights?
Yes, exactly.
SPECTATOR
C: Why have America's ice shows have long been a popular entertainment, while in Russia, it's a relatively new phenomenon?
Now similar shows in the U.S. are no longer as popular as before. Several years ago, they enjoyed great success since they involved the stars. Now that is the case here, because the ice show in Russia have gathered the real stars of figure skating past. The Skaters of 'golden generation' that we talked about retired, and it made sense to use them in such projects. As always happens when a country has the names that the public loves.
C: And because of these shows in recent years skating has become incredibly popular, if not fashionable.
Yes, and this is thanks to the people who create these projects.
C: One of the first was created by Olympic medalist Ilia Averbukh. Have you seen any of these shows? You can share your impressions?
To be honest, I have not seen a single project, however, I have heard a lot that their level is very high. Still, they are professionals, because money can not in principle be bad. As for the athletes, I am glad that they have the opportunity to earn money and act in their own country for which they have done so much. If it were not for these shows, many former skaters would be left without work.
C: You were offered to take part in some of these TV projects?
Yes, proposed long ago, when they had just appeared. Then the TV channel "Russia" invited me to participate in the show, but I refused, because you can not simultaneously train athletes, and be engaged in similar "theater" projects. Maybe someone can succeed at this, but I have so many skaters that I could not combine the two cases. I am interested in sports, so I declined.
C: The ice show is often criticized for discrediting the sport, suggesting that virtually every person in a relatively short time, can learn to skate like a pro. Is that so
No, this is wrong. I myself have heard many times this point of view, but people do not really understand the show and the sport did not overlap. True, ice-TV projects a very positive impact on the image of figure skating in Russia.
C: In these programs its often joked that the stars of show business can be turned into Olympic athletes. Joking aside, but theoretically possible for a few years to derive an untrained person to such a level that he could just to be able to take part in these competitions?
No, it is quite impossible. To take part in these competitions, you need to work all your life.
FIGURE SKATER
C: You started skating aged four years of skating. Admit it, you have a childhood, it was?
Of course, it was, and how? (idk i cant make this bit make sense)
C: ... And it was at the rink?
Yes! (Laughs.) I can not complain about my childhood.
C: And what about school?
In the morning I practiced on the rink, and then there was a school day and at night - back to the rink.
C: Many skaters begin to train in one form of figure skating, and then go to another. In your case it was a transition from a single male to ice dance. Did you find it hard during this period?
My transition took place quite late, I was almost seventeen. Of course, it was not easy, we had to change because single skating is in fact another sport. They are entirely different in both sports and psychologically. A ssingle skater is responsible only for himself, but the pair have to think also for the partner. You can spoil everything for two, and it is possible, on the contrary, to mitigate another's mistake. But you do not jump, and at first seems like it is less complicated. But you need to build relationships in the pair. Some skaters are constantly fighting. But now I'm equally easy to train single skaters or couples
C: Why did you chose to go to ice dance, instead of trying pairs where you would have still had the jumps?
My jumps were not improving. So I turned to ice dance
C: Would you have prefered to be a singles skater?
No, I like ice dance, I was able to reach an entirely new level and now I have absolutely no regrets about my move.
C: During your athletic career you have had four partners. Apparently, you do know firsthand that the relationship in a pair do not always add up. Is that why your competitive career was finished when you were just 23?
Well, yes, there was no reason to stay longer because the dance - it is a long sport in the sense that to achieve results you don't just have to be a good skater. You need another kind of seniority, to wait for their victory. And I decided that it makes no sense to me to continue doing it.
C: It seems that you have a very thankless sport. Athletes train for hours every day, receiving serious injuries, many finish their careers before they are 25 and after a while no one remembers them. And, knowing all this, many young guys still want to be skaters. What is their motivation?
In my case, the explanation is simple. I was skating at the age of perestroika, when the very possibility of traveling to competitions, meet different people seemed to be something fantastic. I trained in America, and the motivation to continue those grueling training was because it gave the prospect of escape from my ordinary life and to reach an entirely different level. Now its harder to find that motivation, because in Russia today, life is not worse than abroad. And young people, of course, are well aware that for the sake of good results would have to sacrifice a lot, but there are no guarantees that you will become a champion
CHOREOGRAPHER
C: The fame came to you after the completion of your athletic career. You first attracted attention in 2002 when Alexei Yagudin won the Olympics, skating to a program that your created for him...
To be honest, the start of my coaching career has gradually been forgotten. Since then I constantly worked with skaters of a high level and I have in front of them the same responsibility as a doctor before patients. Anyway, I perceive it that way. If something is not done properly, the athlete will not get results, and this can completely change the path of his life.
C:Do you remember the day when the decided to retire? Such crucial decisions are always difficult to accept - always afraid what will happen next.
Of course, terrible. Especially since I had not the slightest idea what to do in the future, because, except for skating there was nothing I was qualified to do. I flirted with the idea to go back to studying, to learn a completely new profession.
C: Tatiana Tarasova, your former coach, asked you to help her as a choreographer?
Yes. Apparently, she saw some kind of flair in me. During my work with Tarasova, I can say, I learnt a great deal from her experience. It was also very helpful that I almost immediately started to work with outstanding athletes. I am sure that if I hadn't been able to start in this way I wouldn't have had the same success later.
C: But you still have parted ways with Tatiana A. and began to work independently.
The reason was the usual confusion. It does not even have any relevance to figure skating, it was a personal relationship - just the circumstances.
C: And this led to your metamorphosis from choreographer to coach?
I simply had no choice, because when we parted with Tatiana A., I was left with a lot of athletes and there was no time even to understand, reflect the situation. I just kept doing the same thing as always.
MUSCOVITE
C: Several years ago, coaches and skaters complained about the lack in our country, of the normal infrastructure for training - it was more convenient to live and train in America. In recent years something has changed in this sense?
Yes, we have a lot of rinks - in virtually every area, and they are all in good condition. I think in recent years, the infrastructure is much improved. Although for me personally it does not matter much: I can train in Italy, France and Japan. My students have to follow me.
C: Before, many athletes left to go where there are facilities for training, and you're a good example of this. In connection with the improvement of infrastructure in Russia has the trend been reversed?
Basically, the entire Russian team, of course, trained in Moscow and St. Petersburg. In Russia, it is now very comfortable and are furnished completely comfortable.
C: The state helps with this?
The state now tries to help the sport. This, incidentally, has never been before. At one of our recent meetings Alexey Mishin also noted that for the first time he sees a strong support of sports. It is very happy! Of course, officials are doing everything correctly, not wanting to have our athletes trained somewhere abroad. The restaurant is open, garages built - it's time to think about the sport.
C: You too, were "poached". And your skaters like to come to Moscow with you?
On the one hand, they have no choice, but on the other - they do not mind. Moscow - a good city, there are always places to go, things to do. I am also here very much
C: Amd you decided to switch to Moscow to mostly work with Russian athletes?
Yes, I am inspired by the fact that the Olympic Games will be held in Russia. I'm still a Russian, born in Moscow.
C: How long have you lived in America?
Sixteen years.
C: Are you bored in Moscow?
I come to Moscow once a year and, of course, I miss it. But when you come and stand in a traffic jam for four hours, I want to go back. (Laughs) But in general I always feel comfortable. I have so much travel that often and I do not spend two weeks in one place.
C: A favorite place to travel?
Paris. My first wife was French, and I know the city well. I like to visit there: restaurants, small streets, the Seine, Notre Dame.
Where then is your home - in America, France or still in Russia?
Now I do not understand. On the one hand, I've always had a house here, in Moscow, but on the other - I rarely come home: in October, left, and returned in late March. Although this year I was there more often.
PSYCHOLOGIST
C: It is believed that when training with you, athletes can develop their own indiviual style. How do you go about this?
Its different with each person. I love this complexity. For example, when Yagudin began to train with Tarasova, for the first two years no one had any idea that he can beat Plushenko. But in the end Yagudin won his three World Championships and yes even the Olympic Games in the bargain. And here's another example. I spent five years with the Japanese skaters. The Japanese - a very emotional people, but they are taught from childhood to hide feelings. It took me four years to get Miki Ando to show any emotions. It is the only person in the whole of Japan, who can afford it! I am very interested in this psychological process to see if I can get a person to "open up"..
C: Many skaters, living and working in close proximity end up in relationships. Is it really the case , working constantly together, that athletes, not only do not get tired of each other, but can even fall in love?
Skaters have a vrey intense sort of life. Many couples do not have this sort of relationship, because they do not go through the great emotional higs and lows which athletes do. From this relationship becomes stronger. In addition, it is very hard for skaters to be with someone else, talking at night about something not related to sports. Even if there is an opportunity to see someone from another sphere, skaters are so dedicated they are drawn to "their own"(laughing).
C: That is, they are ready not only to train intensely, but they spend all the remaining time discussing training and competition?
Exactly. We have a very rich sport and there is always something to talk about.
C: They say that parting does not benefit the couple. As someone who is constantly on the move, do you think it is true that it makes relatinships more difficult?
Yes, definitely. But this applies not only to married couples in figure skating, but also any other. I unfortunately don't have an answer to this question...
C: You broke up with two wives, both skaters. You too found it easy build relationships with representatives of your profession?
Yes, easily. Although, frankly, I've never been involved with anyone outside skating so I don't know if it only works on skaters (Laughs) The difficulty in the fact that the world of figure skating is too small: we all know each other well. If you broke up with someone, it is unlikely that you will never see them again. This is possible in normal life, but not in figure skating. The same applies to people from ballet and ballroom dancing. But usually, one of the pair will leave, move, realising it is better for both. .The reasons for this may be the most common, too, just athletes are always more visible, there is more attention on their personal life.
C: It is often said that the personal life of creative people is reflected in their work. Is this true for you?
Whatever happens, good or bad - it always makes me work better. And if there are troubles in your personal life, the work can be neglected.
C: A creative crisis perhaps?
Not for me (laughing).
MANIPULATOR
C: Do you try to control your pupils off the ice?
I work with them every day, so I know everything about them. Of course, I do not go and check, for example, that they are sleeping or not. (Laughs.) But between the coach and athlete have to be full trust, otherwise nothing happens. And why should I give a skater all my time and effort if he does not return them back?
C: Any coach, working on programs for figure skaters, trys to understand and reveal the character and the possibility of an athlete ...
I always try to proceed from the nature of each individual. For example, Florent Amodio comes to the rink listening to music all the time, hip-hop, rap. I see it, and certainly I'm not going to make him skate to Rachmaninoff. But I do not always get it right and if it not suitable to the skater we need to move forward, develop.
C: In one of the programs for Amodio you used music with lyrics, even though the judges could deduct points. Wasn't he worried about this?
Well, let them take points! Of course, Florent was a little scared, but all of my athletes trust me. Besides, he did not claim the medal, so it does not matter what he will eventually place - sixth, seventh ... Worlds is only about the top three positions. Never be afraid to take risks, and this situation was for me the perfect opportunity!
C: But in the end he didn't lose points. Do you know why?
Apparently, the judges after his skate were so confused that they did not realize that they should make a deduction. But he's skated well! And if he had skated poorly, fell a few times, what would everyone say? "What an idiot came up with the program? Not only that, they took the music with lyrics, and the athlete falls all the time!" And if he, on the contrary, skated well enough to get bronze would he have been properly marked if he used that music? Not every coach will take that risk. But I was wondering and it was important to understand how strong this athlete is. It was a test, although I had no doubt that everything would be fine. In any case, what good is it to be like everyone else if it interests no one?
And people with complex characters with whom hard work, motivate you, too?
Yes, and more! For example, when I first started coaching, all my athletes were older than I am. In addition, they were more and more titled - they used to beat me, until I became their coach.
C: Looking down on you?
Perhaps at first it was so. But it passed very quickly.
C: What did you do? Behaved like "a macho guy" or, conversely, tried to play down your coaching authority?
No, I just tried to be honest and open, to help, not wanting any personal gain.
C: Does seeing your athletes succed compensate for the fact that your own competitive career was for various reasons not that successful?
Probably not. I will say more: I have trained skaters who get good results and that is not what particularly interests me. Most important - it's not to win competitions, but to be able to change that person so that they think correctly and live properly. Otherwise, my work has failed. The fact that an athlete has a medal? Won - so what? After all, life does not end with a medal, for many it is just the beginning. Many athletes have won the Olympics, and did nothing. It is very important to know what to do next after winning the medal, how to continue to progress, earn money and still be a good person, so you continue to be loved by the fans and friends.
C: You like to change something in people?
Yes, of course. Otherwise, what's the point? This teaches athletes to live, they become strong, confident, responsible for themselves. I think I make them do what they do not expect from myself. That sort of thing pushes them and me
C: You are - in a good sense of the word - a manipulator?
Of course.
sry for the clunkiness, it's mostly google translate