“Europeans come to tournaments as if they are on vacation” – Fedor Klimov on the differences in the mentality of Russians and foreigners

Olympic champion, figure skating coach Fyodor Klimov in an interview with he talked about the differences in mentality between Russian and foreign athletes.

Klimov’s students, Daria Danilova and Michelle Tsyba, compete in pairs skating for the Netherlands. The sports couple took 14th place at the World Championships.

“It’s interesting to work with them.” Michel is European, but speaks Russian, they spent a lot of time in our country. We solve our problems with them and try to help them maximize their potential. In the summer, they organize training camps with us. They come during the season, between competitions, when we have time. Sometimes they stay in the Netherlands to facilitate travel to tournaments.

— What went wrong for this couple at the World Championships?

— The jump in the short program did not work, although recently in training we performed everything consistently. We were in the first warm-up before the free skate, and we were also the first to skate – the scores depend on it a bit. Although they performed the free program with dignity, with one mistake. We are happy with the guys, good skates, but we have to work on the jumping part. It’s such a delicate place for them. I see progress, I think they can add more stability to the jump.

— Michel is European. What are the differences between him and the Russians?

“He tries to enjoy everything, sometimes it’s difficult for him to force himself to do something, but he can’t do without it. We explain to you that to obtain results, you must surpass yourself.

— Many Russian athletes noted that tournaments are stressful for them, a kind of battle, but Europeans have a simpler attitude.

— One hundred percent, they come to tournaments as if it were vacation. I remember myself: before the competition, I was under enormous stress for several days; foreigners have not experienced this. I think this is their advantage: we must strive to have such a perception of things.

At the same time, I noticed that the training ended and our guys immediately left, but for some reason the foreigners were more responsible. After the main work, they run around the arena stretching, even if no one is forcing them. “It’s only for me,” Klimov said in an interview with .