“I withdrew into myself for a long time, I needed such a period” – Efimova about the long break in competitions

Triple Olympic medalist in swimming Yulia Efimova told that she needed a break from competitions and wanted to “shut down for a while”.

Efimova hasn’t competed in almost two years. She returned to competition on Monday at the Southern Federal District Championships, which are taking place in Astrakhan.

— After the first interview about her return, many in the comments believed that Efimova had ended her career.

“It’s probably because I withdrew into myself for a long time. » I did not communicate and appeared less on social networks. I wanted to close for a while. In that respect, it was good in the USA, because no one knows me there. I needed such a period.

— There was a conversation that I even wanted to get a job as a fitness model.

– What was I thinking! I had to take care of something. There was some filming, but I didn’t really try in that direction. It’s not really mine. I don’t really like all these cameras and photographs. I can when I go out with my girlfriends or something. But wanting to do that all the time… It’s probably not my thing.

“Now the stereotype that ‘Efimova only posts photos and doesn’t train’ has been broken into pieces.” It turns out that Efimova doesn’t like being photographed!

– I do not really like. I started posting less on social media. Previously, the contract included certain obligations, there had to be an active profile. Every now and then it’s sunset, Jasper. I understand that if necessary, I will be active on social networks, otherwise no sponsor will work with you. In swimming, no matter how many medals you have, the main factor is the media and social networks,” Efimova told .

On Monday, Efimova set the best time in the short course 50-meter breaststroke at the Russian Championship qualifying tournament. The 31-year-old athlete achieved a result of 30.90 seconds.