2012 Olympics silver medalist Elena Sokolova in a conversation with journalists, she commented on her victory at the All-Russian Spartakiad of the Strongest.
On Thursday, Sokolova won the long jump of the All-Russian Spartakiad of the Strongest in Chelyabinsk with a score of 6.60m. Polina Lukyanenkova came second (6.59), Ekaterina Levitskaya third (6.57).
– What are your impressions of today’s performance, the organization of the competitions?
– It’s very hot today. We arrived at the warm up around 2pm in the heat – it was felt. In Moscow, of course, it is also hot, but there you train either in the morning or in the evening. And then I had to compete at the height of the day, I lost my concentration a bit. I haven’t had time to feel the atmosphere yet, because we had the first sight, there were few spectators. Probably, during the competition with the start of the final it will be more interesting.
How would you rate your performance today?
– For a first try, it’s good. It’s strange that she didn’t add it later – she jumped into a domain. Probably, because of the heat, I couldn’t fully concentrate and do everything right. The main thing is that you won.
– At the same time, you won only one centimeter to your opponent. Should you be nervous?
– I have already accumulated such fatigue at the end of the season that you already look like a mere spectator.
Are you satisfied with how the season has gone?
– The season went well – I made eight starts. When I went to international competitions, it was normal. There were 10 and 11. But when departures became national in Russia, there were two or three per season. Of course, eight is unusual. All departures are specific – somewhere better, somewhere worse, it’s hard to find strength for all of them.
– Do athletes really need the Spartakiad? There are different opinions on this.
She probably needs it. But at the end of the season… It’s difficult to make the big start.
– A few weeks ago you won the Russian championship. How did you find the motivation for the Spartakiad?
– You always seek motivation by just doing a good jump, following the coach’s instructions. I know that if I do well, there will be a long jump. It doesn’t always work, but I try.
Does the fact that there are no international competitions put pressure on you?
“Of course I think about it. But I think it’s wrong to blame the All-Russian Athletics Federation for everything and throw stones at it. In this situation, not only are they to blame. It’s more the blame the World Athletics Association, I don’t understand why no one asks them, but foolishly blame the ARAF for everything. It’s probably easier to find the culprit here – just point the finger. I I agree that the situation is difficult, but we must work together and not blame each other for any problems.
You have quite a long career. Thinking about a possible retirement?
“I’ve been thinking about it for probably five years now. But I love what I do. Usually after the season we have a long rest – one and a half to two months, I get tired of it and then I go to training with joy. My trainer comes up with new exercises every year. I am interested in everything, I continue to train and it gives me joy. As soon as this stops, I will immediately return to thoughts of ending my career.
So, are there any plans for next season?
– If I rest and want to go to training, then yes, in the plans.
On March 1, 2022, the World Athletics Association (World Athletics) banned Russian and Belarusian athletes from participating in international competitions. The All-Russian Athletics Federation (VFLA) has been stripped of its World Athletics membership since 2015 due to a large-scale doping scandal. From then on, Russian athletes could participate in international competitions only after obtaining neutral status.
Source : MatchTV
