The European Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships continue in Baku. The chief coach of the Azerbaijani national team, Mariana Vasileva, talked to Vestnik Kavkaza about the organization of the event and the team's plans for future.
- You have been coaching the Azerbaijani team, what has changed since then?
- I guess the most peculiar thing is that six years ago there were just five gymnasts in the team, while now we have 41 people. We compete in all sections - individual, junior group, senior group.
- The opening of these championships fascinated everyone. You took part in the organization of the ceremony. Can you tell us how the idea emerged? Did you invite an art director to organize it?
- It very pleasant to hear that. The idea emerged after I had taken part in the organization of the annual holidays for our team. We had a different theme every year, so that no one would be bored. So we decided that we would perform at the opening ourselves. We were all very nervous. We are happy that everyone liked it. We did everything by ourselves. All the people who took part in the opening are members of our team. It's a pity that we could not include the performance of the group team, because they were preparing for the competition. Otherwise it would have been even more interesting.
- What should we expect at the closing ceremony?
- During the closing ceremony we will underline the European Games, the six kinds of gymnastics. The famous Azerbaijani signer Tunzalya will perform at the ceremony. She will sing a song that she wrote especially for us. The song is titled "Our Time Has Come".
- Were you facing any challenges while organizing the event?
- Of course, organizing such an event is a great challenge, we were very nervous. But to be honest, I should say that we were very responsible and demanding towards each other. And I am happy with that. It means that we love our job. That is why we had such great results.
- There was a problem with Gyulsum Shafizade's performance. Why?
- According to the rules of rhythmic gymnastics, a gymnast cannot stop during the performance, because if a gymnast stops she will receive zero points. However if there is no music, the performance is not even judged. So she did well when she decided to continue her performance in spite of technical problems. She didn't stop and that's why she was allowed to repeat her programme when the music finally started. She has already changed for the next performance when they called her and said that she can repeat her programme. It;'s a good thing that she did it. She received good marks, even though she is just 15. She is the youngest among the seniors.
I am happy that all that happened to our gymnast, because if it happened to our competitors, a gymnast from another team, everyone would think that it was sabotage. I would like to underline that we never cheat. We are fighting for the place we actually deserve. We don't want to cheat, we are honest.
- Whom do you believe to be promising athletes in your team? Your juniors are now much better than before.
- Yes they are younger than their competitors. These gymnasts are better than those who were born in 1999, so I took a risk and chose them.
Speaking about the most promising gymnasts, I should point out Ayshan Bayramova, you could only see her at the opening where she played the role of the muse. She is just 15. I picked her up very late, but within three years she has made great progress. I think we will soon her at some competition.
- What do you think about the judges? There were a number of complaints from several countries.
- Rhythmic gymnastics is the most subjective kind of sport. People make their own decisions. They decide themselves who performed better and who worse, even though there are certain rules. Everyone is free to make his or her own judgement. This is true for all kinds of gymnastics. I issued two complaints today. You can imagine that I am not happy with what is going on. That is why other countries also made complaints.
- The first day of the competition is over now. What will happen tomorrow? What should we expect?
- Nothing is simple. We have to fight. You have been supporting us, our federation, our athletes for these six years. Today we won bronze medals for the first time. This was the first time for Azerbaijan in the group section. This victory is a historic one, but not the last bone, I hope. Tomorrow we will work even harder. Zhalya Piriyeva is taking part in four finals, the senior team is taking part in two group finals. I think everything will be all right.
- How is the Azerbaijani Rhythmic Gymnastics Championship preparing for the coming Olympic Games?
- We are doing our best to receive all the necessary licenses. Of course we are going to fight for a medal.
- Does the country's leadership follow the championships?
- Of course, the federation is in charge of all major competitions, such the national championships, the European championships, the world championships. The country's leadership supports rhythmic gymnastics, welcomes its development in all regions of the country. We work together in order to make rhythmic gymnastics the most popular kind of sport among Azerbaijani girls. Of course we should be successful, if we have such a president of our federation.
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