interview link: http://www.itar-tass.com/c20/328116.html
released on 27-Jan 2012
English translated by Tatiana, Billion Billion Thanks!!!

–  How do you manage to be number one of national team for so many years?

–  First of all, I don’t consider myself as number one.

–  Coach considers you are.

–  No, coach doesn’t think like that. She sees me as a gymnast who is striving for the best and she is helping me in it.

–  As I can see the attitude of Irina Viner to you is special.

–  Well, when I do things right and she is satisfied with my work then attitude is good; of course when I do something wrong she always comments on my mistakes, helps me with that, she can raise voice or say with calm when it’s necessary.

–  Was there any performance of yours you were absolutely happy with?

–  No.

–  Even after Beijing and Belgrade?

–  Sky‘s the limit in our sport. There is always something that can be improved.

–  Zhenya, can you please tell us with more details about your preparation to Olympic Games.

–  You see, it’s my dream to participate 2^nd time in Olympic Games. I’m not the only who dreams to go there, we have plenty of gymnasts who want the same thing. That’s why I’m training now my new program, pushing myself to the limits to be able to perform it great.

–  Was it necessary to change program after Montpellier?

–  Yes, for me it was the very necessary. Since I won World Championship I have to raise my level, to improve my skills. I have to move on and never stop. Because everyone around is working and moving forward. So Should I. I think if you decide to be in sport you have to move only forward.

–  Evgenia, when will you show your new program?

–  At the Moscow Grand-Prix Stage, on February.

–  How is going to be preparation for Olympics? Is the schedule of competition and training ready?

–  Yes. At the moment we are getting ready for Grand-Prix, where we need to earn points. According to that we know who goes to other competitions. We have about 6 events after which we know who participate in European Championship. Probably, after EC we can approximately say who will perform at Olympics.

–  Evgenia, you have already achieved everything in RG, don’t you have problems with motivation?

–  I still have feeling that I can improve my skills. If I continued doing RG after OG 2008 it means I realized it’s gonna be harder, I wanted to overcome myself.

–  If we look into the future, let’s say 2015, how do you see yourself?

–  It’s too far, I don’t think about it.

–  How did you manage to avoid “star disease”?

–  Don’t you feel that I have it? (Zhenya is laughing)

–  No. Unlike many Russian hockey or soccer players who are sticking up their noses you have no signs of “star disease”.

Well, may be because I’m not a soccer player (laughing). I think it depends on upbringing, and it’s no need to behave demonstratively after your victories. Any person in any sphere can win or lose.  Yes, I’m gymnast and I have some achievements, but it’s not a reason to stick up my nose. I don’t consider myself better than, for example, a plumber. I respect any profession.