“I returned to sports for the second time and realized that it was time to start a new life.” Fesikova retired

Four Olympics, silver in London, a world record, and between that – serious injuries and the birth of two children. Anastasia Fesikova bids farewell to her sports career at the Russian Championship in St. Petersburg and gives a long interview to .

— Nastya, the second return took place differently than after the birth of the first child. Were you ready for this?

“I understood that it would not be like 2015.” First, the results in terms of density have greatly improved. It wouldn’t have been possible to just swim and make the final. But I’m not ready to train as hard as before because I wanted to spend more time with my kids and family. In addition, work is underway within the Olympic Committee’s Athletes’ Commission. As a result, I decided to end my career. I have swum, attended numerous competitions and traveled the world. I have children, it’s a different life and now without competition.

— Was it difficult for you to realize that you are not ready to train at full strength?

“I just felt like the time was right.” The situation of Russian sport also played a role. Before Tokyo, I was moving towards my goal: reaching the fourth Olympic Games. Now, when such a goal does not exist, at 33 years old, it is very difficult to surpass yourself.

— Have you thought about coaching?

– I never swore on that. I lead training camps and master classes. The children like it. The work of a coach is very energy-intensive, you have to give your all and I don’t yet know if I can coach permanently in a sports school for children and young people.

— Natalya Andreevna Kozlova didn’t convince you to stay?

– No, she has enough work. She has Masha Kameneva, Alina Gaifutdinova… All the girls are textured. Persuade me? What’s the point?! Just to stay in shape and maybe start at this championship, but I understood that lack of water was not my thing anyway, and with the current training, starting just to compete in the semi-finals …I didn’t want that.

— How many years did you work together?

– Since 2005. This year marks our majority to work together, 18 years that I have been training with her.

— When you started, did you imagine that you would swim until you were 33?

– Of course not! Remember my interviews after London. Even in 2012, I thought I was going to swim and leave. And then – marriage, the birth of a child. But in 2016, there were also the Olympics! And already in 2016, Natalya Andreevna told me during a training camp in Brazil that I absolutely did not need new tires, because I was finishing (laughs). And what is the result? We are speaking to you in 2023, seven years have passed. There have been both successful World Championships and European Championships.

– But are you finished now?

– Yes. It’s time to finish. I am very grateful for all these years in the sport. I am grateful for the chance to compete in major competitions and meet new people. And I am very glad that my mother sent me to Penza to Natalya Andreevna in 2015, because without it I probably would not have swum for a long time.

— You have always given the impression of a calm and reasonable person. Was it difficult in a sport with such character?

– “I made a good impression” – that’s true (laughs). Mom says: “Why are you so calm around others, but angry at home? My upbringing does not allow me to be angry with others. I am also very quick-witted, I am always the first to reach a truce. In general, I am friendly. But calm, balanced… My husband doesn’t think so! He is the most reasonable in our family. Sometimes I panic, but he doesn’t. Although there are no calm athletes at all. There are no soft and gentle athletes. There is still a steel rod inside.

– And you are a rod in a soft package?

– Maybe. I’m not that soft, that’s for sure.

—And when was the cane most useful? At what point in your career? I had a serious back problem.

— Honestly, when the doctors said I wouldn’t swim, I didn’t take it as some kind of tough verdict, I was determined to come back. And when I broke my leg, I didn’t think that could be a reason to end my career. The core was necessary for training. I’m the type of person who will endure until the last minute during a workout. I can whine and scream, but over the years Natalya Andreevna has gotten used to the fact that no matter what, I will finish everything to the end. Someone grumbles and doesn’t do it – I grumble and do everything to the end. There was no way I was going to miss training when something hurt. I went to training with a fever, although to be honest sometimes it would have been worth the wait.

Now I see that many new generation athletes are taking better care of themselves. Sometimes you’re not willing to push yourself to get results.

– Don’t you regret not having taken care of yourself?

– No, I don’t regret it. I don’t regret anything at all. At my age, I don’t have such severe pain, for example in my shoulders. They started getting sick three years ago. Today, some people have shoulder surgery at the age of 14. Natalya Andreevna did not exhaust me, maybe they did not exhaust me in childhood, like others too. Yes, there was an operation, but we got through it. But deep down, I am whole.

— Were you forced to lose weight?

– A story for centuries. I arrived at 15 for my first internship, I sat down at the table for lunch and had some bread. Natalia Andreyevna came running and said: “It is forbidden to eat bread. » I am in tears. I had no dietary restrictions, but here it turns out that bread is not allowed, chocolate is not allowed. She weighed us, we ran with weights to lose weight and hid candy from her. She hid the trash in the closet when she got to our room.

– For what?

– So that the coach doesn’t see some kind of candy wrapper!

– Do you think it was tin?

– No. I do not think so. It was in moderation and exactly when it was needed. I then weighed 79 kg. My maximum weight! At the European Championships in Budapest in 2008, I had such cheeks, such “mosya”! The son looks at this photo and says: “Mom, is that you?” At the peak of my career, I weighed 10 kg less. It’s just that during puberty it is easy to gain weight, and Natalya Andreevna followed it simply because it was necessary. But he never crossed unimaginable limits. This cannot be compared to what happens with synchronized swimmers or gymnasts.

“It always seemed to me that you were thin.”

– No, I wasn’t. But I think I kept myself in this form thanks to the fact that Natalya Andreevna took control at the right time.

– So these interviews: “if I win, I will go to McDonald’s” – they are not a joke, but saturated with pain?

— I wanted delicious forbidden food! And as soon as you complete the task, it’s possible!

— Do you remember the London Olympic Games as the main moment of your career? And with what feelings? Could you do better?

– I could. In 2008, I went to the Beijing Olympics, completely unaware of what it was about. Before London, everything was different. I was aiming for victory, being number one in the standings. And if there was no medal in the 200m, I would definitely stop. At the “hundred” I expected a better result, but we missed somewhere. I even know where. I got sick during the training camp, took antibiotics for two weeks, which ultimately affected my further preparation.

— Did you regret coming back after the birth of your son?

“I’m back great.” One of the best moments was the World Championships in Budapest, where we finished second in the relay. Furthermore, I then qualified for two more Olympic Games, and ten years later I became European Champion again. It’s very cool. Now I came back differently. It was a test, an experience.

— Did you come back and make sure what was needed next?

– It’s time to have a new life. It’s much heavier than a sport. No matter how everyone says, “When you’re done, come on.” » But in reality, no one is waiting for you. They promise to wait for you in your new life only when you are at the peak of your career. Your career ends – what’s left is you, your supportive family, and you finding yourself. It’s very difficult. I understand that I could do some of my own projects, develop a personal brand, but the kids really need my time and attention. Without my mother, I would have stayed at home for a long time, but thanks to her support after the birth of my children, I was able to train and compete.

— Three tips for those starting a career in adult sport.

— Believe in yourself and don’t stop. Tell yourself that you can do anything. And even if it doesn’t work, try again. Everyone’s path is different, but if you really want something, you have to stick with it. Second tip: don’t throw people everywhere. You must respect those around you and appreciate those who support you. And the third thing is to find your coach and trust him. Without it, nothing will work.