Gymnastics and sports can save the world, the head coach of the Azerbaijani national rhythmic gymnastics team Mariana Vasileva said in an interview with Vestnik Kavkaza, speaking about FIG World Cup in Rhythmic Gymnastics Final, which begins tomorrow in Baku.
According to her, it will be the last training for the top athletes of the rhythmic gymnastics national teams before the Olympics. "Gymnasts from 17 countries arrived here, and I want to express my gratitude to all of them. They are here with us to create a celebration of rhythmic gymnastics," she said.
The head coach said that Azerbaijan will be represented by the leader of the national team - Marina Durunda, and young Jala Piriyeva. "It is the first year when Jala is permorming and competing with the world strongest gymnasts. Siyana Vasileva, Zeyneb Cheleb, Aishah Bayramova, Diana Doman and Alexandra Platonova are in the junior team. Girls are ready for the competition. I think it is not easy to perform in your homeland, because everyone expects the best results from you, but I am sure everything will be fine," she stressed.
She admitted that she was pleased with the podium training that took place today. "There were only minor mistakes, but that's fine, especially since we have almost a month before the Olympic Games; rhythmic gymnastics traditionally closes the Olympics. Therefore, everything is according to the plan. Marina Durunda is not in her best shape, but I think we have time to make entire Azerbaijan happy," she noted.
She also spoke about the closing ceremony of the World Cup. "The first part of the closing ceremony will be dedicated to all those who is sacrificing and is ready to sacrifice his life for the country by protecting our freedom. It is unfortunate that such sad events happened in France, Turkey and other countries over the past few months. I think that gymnastics and sports can save the world," she concluded.
