Azerbaijan, Baku, 3 September / Trend corr. L.Abdulazimova / Trend interview with the Azerbaijani gymnasts Aliya Garayeva and Dinara Gimatova
Question: You have great experience of performances in the international tournaments. In what was the Olympic Games remembered to you?
Aliya Garayeva: Such tournaments take place every four years. The whole world watch, support, and worry. It was great and I liked to perform there.
Dinara Gimatova:
- I am very glad that I have participated at the Olympic Games. I could not achieve it at once. In 2004, I did not go to the Olympic Games and could not participate because of my injury. However, I could do it in 2008. I have good and unforgettable impressions about the Olympic Games. I liked it very much.
-You always enter the arena with resolute step and calm expression of face before each performance. How can you endure such tensions, when atmosphere of the Olympic Games pressurize, when you understand that thousands of eyes watch you, the Azerbaijani flag waves in stands and you do not have the right to make any mistake?
-Garayeva:
- It is necessary to get ready for a good performance before each entry to the arena. You should not think on any bad thing.
Gimatova:
-You overcome yourself to be confident and as you say it yourself. Therefore, if sportsman has any fear and uncertainty, she will not achieve good results.
-Aliya, you ranked the third place after perfect performance with hoop and took the sixth place as a result of all performances yielding only little to prize winners. How do you assess your performance?
Garayeva:
- I think that I performed well. I hope that I will participate at the next Olympic Games and achieve better results.
-Dinara, what can you say about your performances?
-Gimatova:
- I am also satisfied with my performance. Unfortunately, I could not gain necessary points to join top ten. However, generally, I am satisfied and my coaches are satisfied, as well. We did our best in the Beijing Olympic Games and we will continue our efforts to gain better results.
-Which impressions was performance of Russian Yevgeniya Kanayeva, the Olympic champion, produced on you?
-Garayeva:
- I did not see her performance because I performed in the same day.
Gimatova:
- I watched her performance in the final day. I liked it very much because Kanayeva endured morally as well. The main thing is to endure morally because everybody is prepared physically. Gymnast, who will endure morally and will not tremble, will not have any mistake.
-What you think, how fair were judges? Do not you feel their definite prejudice concerning our gymnasts proving themselves in great sport a while ago?
- Как вы считаете, насколько справедливы были судьи? Не ощущалась ли определенная предвзятость с их стороны по отношению к нашим гимнасткам, сравнительно недавно заявившим о себе в большом спорте?
Garayeva:
-Our judge was there, as well. This fact positively influenced on our gymnasts.
Gimatova:
- I think that judges have been fair. The Olympic Games is a small tournament. I think that judges carried out their duty very well.
-How do you always spend your leisure time? How are you resting now, after strained days of the Olympic Games?
Garayeva:
- For example, we were at the Aqua Park on 1 September. It was great. We rolled all slides and had unforgettable impressions on this enjoyment. It took our breath away.
Gimatova:
- We were tired after the Olympic Games. At present we are resting: we swam in the sea, tanned and were at the Aqua Park. We rested well. We have little time to rest during training period, whilst we have. We are doing what we enjoy in this period. Some reads, some go to sauna, swimming pool or just walks.
Question: Have you thought what you will do after completion of your sport career? Generally, what profession would you choose, if you were not sportsmen?
Garayeva:
- I am not hurry to finish my career, because I have not though about it. I was five, when my mother brought me to sport. She is a coach (Vasilina Akhatovna). I did not have a special choice, so it went on. It meaningless to change everything.
Gimatova: If there was not gymnastics in my life, nothing would happen at all. Gymnastics gave us everything. I have gone in for sports since I was five. If there was not gymnastics, everything would go on differently. As to further plans, I think that judge profession is not for me. I am interested in coach activity. I have some plans, whilst there has not yet been a concrete plan. Time will show.
Question: Would you like to say anything to your fans, who worried watching seeing your performances through TV?
Garayeva: I thank all fans for support of us!
Gimatova: I want to express my gratitude to all audiences and all citizens of Azerbaijan. We felt your support and you helped us very much.
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