“Last year, the Olympic year, turned out to be quite hectic,” says Suvorova. – After the Games, it was quite dense in competition. In the fall we had the World Cup. After that, they returned to a personal life, but there was no question of ending a career. On the contrary, we have set ourselves big goals for next year, but the current situation has not allowed us to achieve them.
– When you went to the Olympics, did you already know that there would be a wedding later?
My boyfriend proposed on his birthday. It was at the beginning of the year. We tried not to go in cycles during the preparation for the Games at the wedding, it’s not like I go there between practices and choose a dress. We set priorities and started discussing everything around the World Cup – we got it done within a few months. We have decided not to postpone this event for a long time.
True, at the World Cup there was already such a slight tension before the wedding, but we managed it and everything went well.
– How was the wedding? Was there a sports theme?
– We had a standard wedding, without sports, in the circle of relatives and friends. At first they wanted to organize something with bicycles, but everything was decided quickly and spontaneously, by the way, the wedding took place in November and it was already cool outside.
– Why did you go to Colombia to collect?
– After the Olympics, we wanted changes, to try something new. After all, the cycle turned out to be long due to the postponement of the Olympics. And for all the preparation, a lot of work has been done, a lot of training camps have taken place. The coaching staff approved the idea, helped with the training plan, our local school supported us, bought us tickets. For which we are very grateful.
Colombia is the weather and the slopes. Also, I have a friend there, and she called me there for a long time. I didn’t want to go alone to an unknown place. So, when it turned out to be possible, we decided to try our luck. Colombia had good weather, good sparring partners. And it was a way out of the comfort zone, because the responsibility was on us.
— A Colombian friend is also a runner?
– Yes. We met at the UCI center in Agle. I also invited her to the wedding, but everything is so complicated now, and in principle it is very far.
– Do you understand, being in Colombia, where does such a love for BMX flying come from?
– In Colombia, in BMX, three-time Olympic medalist (Mariana Pajon – “”), she is a national heroine, where the love of sport comes from. Men have medals at every Olympics. A lot of effort is put into the development of the sport. Lots of trails, lots of kids involved. When we were there, we felt the mentality and attitude of the locals towards BMX.
– Frankly, in Colombia they know more about your sport.
– Yes. They have a star, it draws attention to BMX. But we are also recovering, we just have a lot of Olympic athletes and other popular sports in our country. Our BMX is still quite young.
What are your impressions of Colombia?
– I really like it there. I like the country, the mentality, the color. Medellin is a very beautiful city. Yes, there are poor neighborhoods, but the city is really beautiful, I only have the best impressions. Sasha and I went to Mount Guatape, we also had a lot of emotions.
– You said that due to the suspension of departures, it was psychologically difficult and that we had to get out of this state.
Yes, it was very difficult for me personally. My relatives knew about it and supported me. After Colombia, international departures were planned, and abruptly – stop.
We have taken a step forward, set new goals. To be honest, there was no rest as such after the Olympics. We were working, we were planning trips to European races… All of this shocked me. You’ve worked all your life to compete internationally and achieve high goals, so it’s hard to readjust right away. At first I didn’t want to train and there were a lot of questions. I didn’t know where to prepare. I tried not to live in illusions, but to accept a new reality. I didn’t make impulsive decisions about my career, but there was such a loss.
I just gave myself the time to live it, to know myself, to be able to return to work later. And I think that’s a normal reaction for an athlete at that time.
It was very painful to watch even the first broadcasts of the competitions without our participation. Above all, after having lived the experiences, I said to myself: I like what I do and I continue to work. This thought brought me back to work.
Did meditation help?
– Yes of course. But there was a time when it wasn’t up to her at all. There was no desire to do anything. I could come to practice, cry and leave. Or stay just to support Sasha, she suggested something to her, but she herself did not train.
At times like these, it’s important to listen to yourself.
– About the good. You have won the Russian championship. How many jokes were collected on the topic of a domestic contract, when Sasha also won?
– A lot of. Although in the process I didn’t even think about it until people started coming and saying – you are the first husband and wife to win the same Russian championship.
How do you prepare for the race? Do you remove your phone?
If I listen to music, I put my phone away last. Depends on the mood.
– Doesn’t it interfere with the fact that you and Sasha are together all the time – both in sports and at home?
We have been dating for many years. We grew up together and we already understand each other. But life together, everyday life – before the competition was not yet. This is my first time doing breakfast, lunch and dinner. But there was no fatigue either – I figured out what to do, how to do it. Sometimes we discuss work, sometimes we try to avoid it – no sports at all in the conversations. So there is a balance.
Have your sponsors left you?
— We have no direct title sponsors, but there are those who have supported us and continue to support us. When we were stuck in France our flight was delayed and we weren’t sure if we could fly from there in the current situation, they called us, offered help, invited us to our home. In fact, the support continues, at the moment there are difficulties with the delivery of certain things. This applies for example to parts for a bicycle.
Source : MatchTV
