“Making history is more important than making money.” In memory of Leyla Salamova

Salyamova was the first and so far our only high diving athlete to have managed to qualify for the World Championships.

Unfortunately, Leyla didn’t go, but last year she made her World Series debut.

She was incredibly bright and open.

HOW LEILA GOT INTO THE HIDEOUT

Leyla came to high diving, like many others, classical jumps, which she gave up, and after 18 she did not jump for three years. She studied, worked in a fitness club as a swimming coach, went to Korea for three months, performed in a show and returned home in 2020 – she was supposed to go to work in France, but the job has failed.

– Let’s go to Crimea to my parents, I found a job as a children’s entertainer. That year, international competitions had just taken place in Yalta, and Artem Silchenko invited me there – we knew each other, but in absentia.

That day was the only rest day. I got up at four in the morning and left for Yalta. I took with me money for tickets and food. The guys gave me accreditation so I could approach the towers and take a look. And then Artem Silchenko’s brother said to me: “I’m going to have coffee now, pass it to Igor Semashko.” And I answered him: “And who is Semashko?”

I’m so ashamed to talk about it now (laughs). After all, I had no idea I was going to my future coach. I gave him coffee, watched the competition, and loved it so much, butterflies in my stomach. I’m on fire! It caught fire, but inside there was an unpleasant feeling, sediment – everything is so cool, but I stand aside, watch and do not participate.

I waited for the awards and missed the bus (laughs). There was no more money for the return trip. The guys-jumpers calmed down, they said they would help to get there. I was invited to a buffet. Kostya Popovich said: “May you be at the next competitions.” They told me I was still young and there was an opportunity to prove myself. And I already gave up on myself when I was 18!

They didn’t affect me, no. It’s hard to influence me, but they managed to motivate me. I thought, “Well, that’s probably kind of a sign that I should get back to my career and try something new.”

So now, when people ask me how you got into high-level diving, I say “I just missed the bus” (laughs).

I think I decided to get back into the sport because I needed to calm down a cockroach. Also, I’m interested in trying something new. There is a chance to go down in history.

Making history is more important than making money.

***

The last time Leila and I saw each other in Kazan, at the Friendship Games, she participated in a stellar swim. And she spoke about it with so much emotion! It was all new to her – so many people from other sports!

She was happy and full of energy as always. We will always remember her like that.

Leyla Salyamova (March 24, 1999 – January 12, 2023).