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- Jul 28, 2003
http://sports.ru/today/other/154154700000030653.html
Maxim MARININ: "We pay with our health of the titles and the fame"
Interview of the World Figure Skating champion
Today in the start of the figure skating European championships in Lyon; it is the last test before the upcoming Olympics. As dictated by tradition, pairs enter the fight first - their medals will be awarded on Wendsday. On the eve of the compeition, "Izvestija" correspondent Vladimir Rausch called Maxim Marinin in France, where he will be defending his continent title with partner Tatiana Totmianina.
We came to Lyon ahead of time, on Sunday, and spent a day strolling through the city. We didn't go to the ice that day, but couldn't resist taking a peek at the Sports Palace. I have to say the rink isn't very new. Also, its size significantly differs from the standard, as both the width and the length are two meters below the norm.
Can that lead to problems?
Perhaps at first. We're tough cookies, we've performed in all kinds of conditions. We adjust fast, so shouldn't be any problem here.
Is the Europeans a dress rehearsal to the Turin Olympics, or is it not indicative of anything without the Chinese teams?
The Grand Prix Final in Japan was more indicative. The current compeition is like a control start. We have to skate our programs at the level close to the max, at at least 90%.
Prior to New Year, your duo had to withraw from Nationals because of Tanya's illness. Did you fear those problems would prevent you from going to Europeans as well?
We never even considered skipping Lyon. Tany's illness didn't end up being all that serious, despite what the media made out of it. The organizers got rather worried, and declared an exta team as alternates.
How is your partner feeling now?
Not bad. Though she has to take a lot of medications, and follow a strict diet. But this shouldn't reflect on our performance. Skipping several training sessions shouldn't be too bad either. Our coach Oleg Vasiliev switched up the practice regiment, so we made up for all lost time.
Doctors say that Tanya must change her routine to prevent problems like that. Is it realistic?
I doubt it. Our lives depend on circumstances; organizers can't change this because of us, right? Tanya does follow the diet, but it's hard to make radical changes. If things get really bad, we can skip some competitions. That all we can do short of giving up on skating alltogether.
Medical problems have lately plagued your duo. Why you?
That the price of the big sport. At this level, nothing is free, you have to pay for everything. We pay with out health for the titles, the fame, and the money.
May be Tanya is a victim of the evil eye?
Good question. No athlete will ever admit to being supersticious. We are all gullible, some more so than others. In our world many sprinkle themselves with holy water, or wear talismans. But most don't talk publically about it.
Do you personally believe in those things?
Yes, but I try not not pay too much attention to them.
Following last year's story with Tany's fall and concussion, your team really gained in popularity. Did the current story do anything?
You know, all the media hoopla happens apart from us. We do not aspire to fame - we don't take part in commericals, and we avoid photo ops. We think those things may hinder the development of our career. If we don't succeed on the ice, there won't be any public interest.
You train far away in America, and many in Russia apparently see you as strangers.
We went to USA because we couldn't train at thome. It as the best for us and for our results. But we always represented Russia! Moreover, I'm certain that without America we could never achieve what we have. Though perhaps even next season we'll return to Petersburg for good, and start training there exclusively.
Maxim MARININ: "We pay with our health of the titles and the fame"
Interview of the World Figure Skating champion
Today in the start of the figure skating European championships in Lyon; it is the last test before the upcoming Olympics. As dictated by tradition, pairs enter the fight first - their medals will be awarded on Wendsday. On the eve of the compeition, "Izvestija" correspondent Vladimir Rausch called Maxim Marinin in France, where he will be defending his continent title with partner Tatiana Totmianina.
We came to Lyon ahead of time, on Sunday, and spent a day strolling through the city. We didn't go to the ice that day, but couldn't resist taking a peek at the Sports Palace. I have to say the rink isn't very new. Also, its size significantly differs from the standard, as both the width and the length are two meters below the norm.
Can that lead to problems?
Perhaps at first. We're tough cookies, we've performed in all kinds of conditions. We adjust fast, so shouldn't be any problem here.
Is the Europeans a dress rehearsal to the Turin Olympics, or is it not indicative of anything without the Chinese teams?
The Grand Prix Final in Japan was more indicative. The current compeition is like a control start. We have to skate our programs at the level close to the max, at at least 90%.
Prior to New Year, your duo had to withraw from Nationals because of Tanya's illness. Did you fear those problems would prevent you from going to Europeans as well?
We never even considered skipping Lyon. Tany's illness didn't end up being all that serious, despite what the media made out of it. The organizers got rather worried, and declared an exta team as alternates.
How is your partner feeling now?
Not bad. Though she has to take a lot of medications, and follow a strict diet. But this shouldn't reflect on our performance. Skipping several training sessions shouldn't be too bad either. Our coach Oleg Vasiliev switched up the practice regiment, so we made up for all lost time.
Doctors say that Tanya must change her routine to prevent problems like that. Is it realistic?
I doubt it. Our lives depend on circumstances; organizers can't change this because of us, right? Tanya does follow the diet, but it's hard to make radical changes. If things get really bad, we can skip some competitions. That all we can do short of giving up on skating alltogether.
Medical problems have lately plagued your duo. Why you?
That the price of the big sport. At this level, nothing is free, you have to pay for everything. We pay with out health for the titles, the fame, and the money.
May be Tanya is a victim of the evil eye?
Good question. No athlete will ever admit to being supersticious. We are all gullible, some more so than others. In our world many sprinkle themselves with holy water, or wear talismans. But most don't talk publically about it.
Do you personally believe in those things?
Yes, but I try not not pay too much attention to them.
Following last year's story with Tany's fall and concussion, your team really gained in popularity. Did the current story do anything?
You know, all the media hoopla happens apart from us. We do not aspire to fame - we don't take part in commericals, and we avoid photo ops. We think those things may hinder the development of our career. If we don't succeed on the ice, there won't be any public interest.
You train far away in America, and many in Russia apparently see you as strangers.
We went to USA because we couldn't train at thome. It as the best for us and for our results. But we always represented Russia! Moreover, I'm certain that without America we could never achieve what we have. Though perhaps even next season we'll return to Petersburg for good, and start training there exclusively.
