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Anatoly Samokhvalov's interview with Evgeni Pluschenko `In my group Sotnikova will have to give up everything else' for rsport.ria.ru
AS: Many don't believe the real reason Adelina is missing the season is the injury. They tend to beleive it's yet another PR action
EP: It's impossible, we were not aiming for any PR, we are using it and we will not in the future. For now Adelina is not commenting on anything, but think we will be able to show the doctors' verdict on her injury. It can be done openly. Adelina came to me and was ready to train full time. She was a bit overweight, we started losing it and then the injury happened. We went to a show in Japan, she did the jumps one evening and spent the rest of the days with no jumps. In Italy she was also performing without the jumps
You know, many didn't believe me either whether I'll come back or not... Whether there was a surgery or not.. There are so many mean people. Successfull people are not much loved. A couple of days ago I told Adelina `We have to prove we are in the sport. By getting healthy'. Perhaps she'll even participate some small competition this season.
AS: This season?
EP: After the Olympics. Well, probably not. More like the next season. And then will prepare to the main competitions. She said she is ready. And let me tell you, she is mentally ready, she has a will to compeet. The main thing now is to mend the injury. I told you, she was misdiagnosed - first the doctors claimed a stretched lingament, but in real life it was almost a tear. And a broken small bone. Am now waiting for the scans which I'll send my doctors to Germany. To people I know. After which I'll send Adelina there to be treated.
AS: Is it too premature to talk about the time it'll take
EP: Very premature.
AS: Many claim what happens to Sotnikova is the copy of what happened to you. First there was a grandiose promise and then it was postponed. Of course without knowing your situation in details I tend to think it's worthy remaining an athlete in the team, it's good for promoting your show.
EP: Nonsense. I didn't need to stay in the sports for that at all. During my career I was disqualified for a year after 2010 Olympics because my relationships with the federation were so so. I then came back, retired again and came back again. If what you are saying was just for PR I wouldn't have bothered coming back. I would retire and promise `I'll come back, I'll come back!!!' and wouldn't. But I did and competed with a horrid injury after the surgery.
Adelina, looking at me came and said `You know how to recover and come back. I want to work with you'. I said `ok, no problem, fine'. Yes, it didn't work this year, nevermind, she is a young girl! She can skate for as long as she likes. As for me staying in the sports for the PR of my shows... nonsense! I spent 30 years in the sport, my name only is enough for promotion.
AS: Then why haven't you retired at once?
EP: Because I so wanted to participate the 5th Olympics. I set a goal - do set a new record, something that no one had ever done before. It didnt' work. But it was a dream! I was living it, it's such a great story. Superstory, unreal. But when I started practicing the 3A the quads, unfortunately the 15 surgeries reminded they happened. 15! My back didn't allow me to go on and I retired. And I did it without the drama like some. No epic show with tears on the stage. Some are crying in public, I just started a new life. Opened a school and work with my great team. My shows are still running - the `Nutcracker' - 23 shows, the `Snow king' - 6, soon we'll hold 10 shows in Europe and 42 in Japan.
AS: Not bad
EP: All is fine.
AS: When the moment `that's it, I'm done' came?
EP: I had a routine practice, came to the dressing room, sat down and.. was unable to unfold. My back hurt. I looked in the mirror and asked myself `what for?'. What for am I lying? I could go on and say I will get ready for the Olympics, but at that moment I stopped believing it. `That's it, my athlete's days are gone' and I started coaching.
AS: Did you need Sotnikova for a top skater in your group?
EP: She came to me. Not the other way around. I didn't ask her nor begged. She called and said `Zhenya, I want to meet up'. I told her to come to the school. Then she said those words.
AS: `You know how to recover and come back, I want to work with you?'
EP: Yes. But I had a condition. If you are ready to work full time - lets do that. That's it.
AS: Were you surprised when she came to you with these words?
EP: No. She participated my shows and I saw her state of mind. See, even in the show it's obvious whether it's an athelte or an actor in front of you. I spoke to her about her future plans back then and she was strict `I will compete'. I told her `It's so hard. Endlessly hard'. She insisted. I told her openly `Adelina, the most important is that our decision to miss this season only will not remain empty words. We have to go out and compete the next year. We might do the small competition. I started with that. Say, in Riga. Then the main ones'. I know how to get out from the situation Adelina is in right now. But there are so many negative talks aroudn us.
AS: Especially in our country.
EP: Especially. All those `professionals' who know more than we do. I let the parents see the practices in my school, so let me tell you, they think they know more than a coach. In technique, choreography - everything. The parents know more than I do. They stand there and control their kids. But we are trying to cut that short.
AS: Many coaches don't allow parents to the practices.
EP: I don't feel like doing it yet. Let them watch. For now.
AS: I understood it from your explanation that while working with Adelina in the show you were trying to get whether she needs the sports?
EP: I was trying to understand. The professional sport is a very strict routine. You only practice and nothing more. When Adelina came to me she understood the need to focus on the sports only.
AS: Do you think being so demanded in the shows and commercials it was possible to get her back on the ice and be an athlete?
EP: Anyone can come back. The most important is for the athlete to want it themselves.
AS: Will she have to give something up?
EP: Everything.
AS: All she has now.
EP: Of course. She won't have a right for a step left or right. If you are an athlete - it's a morning practice, rest, day practice, rest, evening practice, rest. That's it. That's all your have.
AS: Is that injury convincing her to give up?
EP: I still see how determined she is.
AS: I was unable to interview her. When she declined an interview yet again in December last year I don't know why but I shouted at her back `Come back!' and she said `Definetely'
EP: She meant it. She had the great set of mind. But in order to be back to the previous level she needed a year of pracitce. A year and she will be competitive with the girls who are skating now.
AS: For her previous coach Elene Buyanova Sotnikova's participating Averbukh's Ice Age came as a surprise.
EP: I think they must have had a misunderstanding, because, of course, the coach should know what is going on with the athlete. If they had a plan there should had been no `Ice Age'. The shows should had been down to a minimum and even then she would be skating not the exhibition numbers, btu the SP and LP. Then it would be beneficial. The `Ice age' was not.
AS: If Sotnikova comes to you and says `I want to participate a TV show'?
EP: I will decline coaching her.
AS: This Tuesday you debuted as a coach in a competition. Ksenia Pankova participated the Moscow junior competition. Are you satisfied?
EP: With the elements, yes, but she was sometimes slow. We have to speed her up. Previously she used to pop a lot of jumps, we worked on that and I'm happy about that. She does a 2a-euler-3f and 2a-3t in her LP. We are now working on a 4S and, hope, next year she'll land it in the competitions. This season we have to show we are not worse than the otehrs. Am very satisfied with the coaching team work and David Avdysh worked on the programmes.
AS: You also coach a 18y.o Vladimir Samoilov. Why do you need an adult skater?
EP: Look, I work with whoever comes to us. Vladimir is landing a 4F, he has a 4S. He integrages those jumps in his LP. Why wouldn't I work with him? Yes, he is not consistent, but he've been working with me for just a month and during that month he learned a 4F. I think it's a decent result.
AS: Some take a while to get used to coach. How do you feel?
EP: I only just began and I like it. It should work for me - it's my thing, nothing have changed.
AS: What will you have to give up?
EP: Nothing.
AS: How come? Adelina will have to give up everything and you - nothing?
EP: I spend a lot of time with my shows while the coaches remain here. We have a great team and am greatful to them. When I'm in Russia I coach myself, when not - I watch the practices through the cameras which are transmitted to my phone. I then talk to the athletes on skype. By the way, I took Ksenia Pankova to a show in Kazakhstan and she both skated and trained there. I don't plan changing anything this year and will participate all the planned shows.
AS: Is it possible to influence the skater's preparations long distance?
EP: Well, it seems to work for now, we'll see what tomorrow will bring.
AS: Many don't believe the real reason Adelina is missing the season is the injury. They tend to beleive it's yet another PR action
EP: It's impossible, we were not aiming for any PR, we are using it and we will not in the future. For now Adelina is not commenting on anything, but think we will be able to show the doctors' verdict on her injury. It can be done openly. Adelina came to me and was ready to train full time. She was a bit overweight, we started losing it and then the injury happened. We went to a show in Japan, she did the jumps one evening and spent the rest of the days with no jumps. In Italy she was also performing without the jumps
You know, many didn't believe me either whether I'll come back or not... Whether there was a surgery or not.. There are so many mean people. Successfull people are not much loved. A couple of days ago I told Adelina `We have to prove we are in the sport. By getting healthy'. Perhaps she'll even participate some small competition this season.
AS: This season?
EP: After the Olympics. Well, probably not. More like the next season. And then will prepare to the main competitions. She said she is ready. And let me tell you, she is mentally ready, she has a will to compeet. The main thing now is to mend the injury. I told you, she was misdiagnosed - first the doctors claimed a stretched lingament, but in real life it was almost a tear. And a broken small bone. Am now waiting for the scans which I'll send my doctors to Germany. To people I know. After which I'll send Adelina there to be treated.
AS: Is it too premature to talk about the time it'll take
EP: Very premature.
AS: Many claim what happens to Sotnikova is the copy of what happened to you. First there was a grandiose promise and then it was postponed. Of course without knowing your situation in details I tend to think it's worthy remaining an athlete in the team, it's good for promoting your show.
EP: Nonsense. I didn't need to stay in the sports for that at all. During my career I was disqualified for a year after 2010 Olympics because my relationships with the federation were so so. I then came back, retired again and came back again. If what you are saying was just for PR I wouldn't have bothered coming back. I would retire and promise `I'll come back, I'll come back!!!' and wouldn't. But I did and competed with a horrid injury after the surgery.
Adelina, looking at me came and said `You know how to recover and come back. I want to work with you'. I said `ok, no problem, fine'. Yes, it didn't work this year, nevermind, she is a young girl! She can skate for as long as she likes. As for me staying in the sports for the PR of my shows... nonsense! I spent 30 years in the sport, my name only is enough for promotion.
AS: Then why haven't you retired at once?
EP: Because I so wanted to participate the 5th Olympics. I set a goal - do set a new record, something that no one had ever done before. It didnt' work. But it was a dream! I was living it, it's such a great story. Superstory, unreal. But when I started practicing the 3A the quads, unfortunately the 15 surgeries reminded they happened. 15! My back didn't allow me to go on and I retired. And I did it without the drama like some. No epic show with tears on the stage. Some are crying in public, I just started a new life. Opened a school and work with my great team. My shows are still running - the `Nutcracker' - 23 shows, the `Snow king' - 6, soon we'll hold 10 shows in Europe and 42 in Japan.
AS: Not bad
EP: All is fine.
AS: When the moment `that's it, I'm done' came?
EP: I had a routine practice, came to the dressing room, sat down and.. was unable to unfold. My back hurt. I looked in the mirror and asked myself `what for?'. What for am I lying? I could go on and say I will get ready for the Olympics, but at that moment I stopped believing it. `That's it, my athlete's days are gone' and I started coaching.
AS: Did you need Sotnikova for a top skater in your group?
EP: She came to me. Not the other way around. I didn't ask her nor begged. She called and said `Zhenya, I want to meet up'. I told her to come to the school. Then she said those words.
AS: `You know how to recover and come back, I want to work with you?'
EP: Yes. But I had a condition. If you are ready to work full time - lets do that. That's it.
AS: Were you surprised when she came to you with these words?
EP: No. She participated my shows and I saw her state of mind. See, even in the show it's obvious whether it's an athelte or an actor in front of you. I spoke to her about her future plans back then and she was strict `I will compete'. I told her `It's so hard. Endlessly hard'. She insisted. I told her openly `Adelina, the most important is that our decision to miss this season only will not remain empty words. We have to go out and compete the next year. We might do the small competition. I started with that. Say, in Riga. Then the main ones'. I know how to get out from the situation Adelina is in right now. But there are so many negative talks aroudn us.
AS: Especially in our country.
EP: Especially. All those `professionals' who know more than we do. I let the parents see the practices in my school, so let me tell you, they think they know more than a coach. In technique, choreography - everything. The parents know more than I do. They stand there and control their kids. But we are trying to cut that short.
AS: Many coaches don't allow parents to the practices.
EP: I don't feel like doing it yet. Let them watch. For now.
AS: I understood it from your explanation that while working with Adelina in the show you were trying to get whether she needs the sports?
EP: I was trying to understand. The professional sport is a very strict routine. You only practice and nothing more. When Adelina came to me she understood the need to focus on the sports only.
AS: Do you think being so demanded in the shows and commercials it was possible to get her back on the ice and be an athlete?
EP: Anyone can come back. The most important is for the athlete to want it themselves.
AS: Will she have to give something up?
EP: Everything.
AS: All she has now.
EP: Of course. She won't have a right for a step left or right. If you are an athlete - it's a morning practice, rest, day practice, rest, evening practice, rest. That's it. That's all your have.
AS: Is that injury convincing her to give up?
EP: I still see how determined she is.
AS: I was unable to interview her. When she declined an interview yet again in December last year I don't know why but I shouted at her back `Come back!' and she said `Definetely'
EP: She meant it. She had the great set of mind. But in order to be back to the previous level she needed a year of pracitce. A year and she will be competitive with the girls who are skating now.
AS: For her previous coach Elene Buyanova Sotnikova's participating Averbukh's Ice Age came as a surprise.
EP: I think they must have had a misunderstanding, because, of course, the coach should know what is going on with the athlete. If they had a plan there should had been no `Ice Age'. The shows should had been down to a minimum and even then she would be skating not the exhibition numbers, btu the SP and LP. Then it would be beneficial. The `Ice age' was not.
AS: If Sotnikova comes to you and says `I want to participate a TV show'?
EP: I will decline coaching her.
AS: This Tuesday you debuted as a coach in a competition. Ksenia Pankova participated the Moscow junior competition. Are you satisfied?
EP: With the elements, yes, but she was sometimes slow. We have to speed her up. Previously she used to pop a lot of jumps, we worked on that and I'm happy about that. She does a 2a-euler-3f and 2a-3t in her LP. We are now working on a 4S and, hope, next year she'll land it in the competitions. This season we have to show we are not worse than the otehrs. Am very satisfied with the coaching team work and David Avdysh worked on the programmes.
AS: You also coach a 18y.o Vladimir Samoilov. Why do you need an adult skater?
EP: Look, I work with whoever comes to us. Vladimir is landing a 4F, he has a 4S. He integrages those jumps in his LP. Why wouldn't I work with him? Yes, he is not consistent, but he've been working with me for just a month and during that month he learned a 4F. I think it's a decent result.
AS: Some take a while to get used to coach. How do you feel?
EP: I only just began and I like it. It should work for me - it's my thing, nothing have changed.
AS: What will you have to give up?
EP: Nothing.
AS: How come? Adelina will have to give up everything and you - nothing?
EP: I spend a lot of time with my shows while the coaches remain here. We have a great team and am greatful to them. When I'm in Russia I coach myself, when not - I watch the practices through the cameras which are transmitted to my phone. I then talk to the athletes on skype. By the way, I took Ksenia Pankova to a show in Kazakhstan and she both skated and trained there. I don't plan changing anything this year and will participate all the planned shows.
AS: Is it possible to influence the skater's preparations long distance?
EP: Well, it seems to work for now, we'll see what tomorrow will bring.
