Thanks Kareena, This link is on another site as well and I've just done an auto-translation post in English. Its a little rough in places. Please feel free to tidy it up if you want. Some is the same as the Spotlight on Skating except but there are some interesting bits e.g. about the rumours journalists tried to generate when he was sharing a room with Rudy Galindo.
..............................
http://www.sovsport.ru/gazeta/default.asp?id=283892[/quote]
Hi,
here is a translation from an auto-translation service:
Figure skating. Olympic champion Alexei Yagudin: I terminator
February 28, 2008, № 29 (17464)
FIGURNOE KATANIE
AID SPORT STAR The life of the Olympic champion and quadruple world champion Alexei Yagudina saturated interesting, sometimes funny events. For example, the winner of the European and World Championship had never won the championship of Russia. In his autobiography, "On the pro scrap", having published "Gorodets", one of the most talented figure skaters modernity spoke candidly about everything (or almost everything) that happened to him since he began figure skating.
VOLUME OF HOW NACHINAL
I do not remember the very first years of life, when not even able to stand on skates. Rotation, jumping, sliding on ice for me have always been just as natural as breathing ... Now I have time and again come to the bridge Lieutenant Schmidt. The legs themselves have me here. Maybe, I began to age is sentimental? On the left of the bridge, where the harbour, was church. Then specifically for the great Lyudmila Belousova and Oleg Protopopova from it done skating. At this point, again, is now a church.
Parents are not allowed on the rink: they watched training through holes in the broad church doors. Until 12 years gave me Aleksandr Mayorov. Previously, he was a figure skater-odinochnikom ... Even I do not remember when I first made his leap, but for the 10 years I was able to perform all double to 12 - triple, but in 13 years I conquered aksel triple.
I prokaznichal lot, which has received short shrift. My mother and father divorced. His father left after the departure of stamp collection. While I tried to replenish it, philately is not inspire me. But I developed a good cravings for collectors.
My coach paid more attention to me, seeing that I prevoshozhu other pupils in the success of our team. ... When something Mayorov was a pupil Alexei Mishin, so when Alexandre was offered a job in Sweden, he asked me to enroll in Mishina Juniors team.
About MISHINE
The first time, I rarely spoke with Mishinym. He worked mainly with the already-established figure skaters, and in particular with Alexei Urmanovym ... Urmanov was to participate in the Games in September of goodwill in St. Petersburg. In late August, they flew, a couple of days later I phoned the Federation of figure skating, informing that Mishin is an urgent matter to me, Peter. I had to replace Alexander Abta. My surprise, there was no borders. My athletic form is not allowed to claim that a serious, even at children's tournaments. Mishin knew it, but caused me to the charges.
I went to the ice as a solid ball of nerves, and otkatal most terrible program in life. I was so ashamed that would dissolve in the air. I was depressed and on the evils Mishina, considering it a shame culprit. I feel mockery and knew that it is not soon forget.
... After Skate America, "" I won bronze at the Cup of Nations in Germany and silver at the Cup of Russia. Zlaté medals Urmanov was everywhere. Usually coaches choose the competitions for their students. I broke a long head over why Mishin constantly sends me and Alexei at the same competition. Why did he not give me the chance to emerge from the shadows of my senior comrade? Finally dawned me: Mishin wanted me to play consistently Alexey!
Sezon-1997/98 Urmanov missed because of injury, and now Mishin drew all their attention on me. It is a pity that it lasted short: on the scene appeared Yevgeny Plushenko, who soon became a favorite disciple Alexei Nikolaevich. Mishin liked nature Plushenko. Eugene, unlike me, never prerekalsya to coach. As Urmanov, Plushenko Aleksei Nikolayevich blindly trust, which has never complained, not asked extra questions. If Mishin abruptly ordered him to jump - whether on the ice or on the floor training room, then heard only in response: "How high?".
In sezone-1997/98 ... I won the Cup in Finland. Plushenko was the second. Thus began the uncompromising struggle between us and reached a climax at the Olympics in 2002. At the European Championship in Milan, I lived with Jeune in the same room. Unlike Urmanova, he barely spoke to me, and I am with him.
... The whole podium in Milan was Russian. I received their first gold medal of the European Championship, Eugene won silver, and Sasha Abt - bronze. One figure skaters, with whom I was friendly relations, told me how arbitrary program after someone congratulated Mishina of the judges that I won first place, and Plushenko - second. My friend was surprised when he heard that Alexei dissatisfied with the distribution of such places. He would prefer that Eugene won.
Now it is time to take any decision regarding my coach. The relationship is not folded, and I figured that continue their pointless ... Alexei first began its case. "I have heard, do you want me to leave?" - he asked. I nodded - it is so. I had expected that he would upset or razgnevaetsya. As I was wrong! Without any emotion he protsedil: "Well, so be and Volume." I thanked for all he has done for me, and assured that he vyplachu per cent of all the money earned in the season. We shook hands and left. I am shocked quiet coolness Mishin, but at the same time I was glad that the conversation took place.
About TARASOVOY
But who will replace Mishina? On the minds of several names came coaches with whom I work. However, they were engaged with other class figure skaters and my appearance could be a cause of conflict. Finally, I heard that Ilya Kulik left Tatiana Tarasova. Known as a "great talent" shlifovalschitsa Tatyana, and has had a reputation as the number one coach in the world. In 1960 - she's acted in pair skating and sostyazalas with Mishinym, who was a partner Tamara Moskvinoy.
When I phoned Tarasova, she asked me to send her a list of my speeches past summer and briefly describe, as I was preparing for the season. A few days later she told me that agrees to train me.
... My financial relations with it were about the same as with Mishinym. Since I did not require a fee for classes, meals, lodging, costumes, choreography and skating rental until I did not start earning. It is anticipated that at the end of the season I will pay dividends my third coach.
I have always considered himself first and foremost place to pole with Tatiana Anatolievna poorly understood that the figure skating - something more than a movement from one element to another. My statement was to be Performed in which all are equally important - and the posture, and slipping, and the sense of music.
... At times I thought that Tatyana takes too in artistry, but I obediently complied with all its orders. And the jumps were my "domain" - even if she wanted to change them, I am not subject to it. Sila Tarasova - in its vast creative abilities. The strength of my skating - in jumping. And though I changed some movement on approaching the hop, I still jump himself served as taught me two of my former coach.
... the evening before leaving Italy Maurizio and his buddies called me to have fun. For the first time in a month I do not need to go the next day and predvkushal as cool hold time. We epicenter in noisy tavern, ordered a bottle of wine. I poneslos ... Chat long - I returned to the hotel after midnight. The aircraft was in St. Petersburg early hours of taking off, and sleep on my left no more than two hours. Zasnuv hard, I did not hear the call from the reception, to awaken me. An hour later, Tarasova knocked my door. She continued toes until I did not bother to wake up. Jumped in number, it vpihnula me in the shower, and the prinyalas collect my things. Daw me a cup of coffee, it has generated a taxi. When we left the rooms, Tarasova strictly and clearly formulated the rule, which I should have been strictly adhered to in the future. "This will not happen again - she said. -- From this moment on you will always be placed wherever you want. I will always be so! "In its expression of a person, I realized that it was not jokes.
ON OBVINENIYAH In GOMOSEKSUALIZME
... I am placed with the world champion in ice dancing Oleg Ovsyannikovym. He was older, constantly read and smoked, and I shall put no cigarette smoke. I then friends with Tara Lipinski, but she was a girlfriend Rudy Galindo. Rudy served a double room and invited me to go for it. I am happy to agree.
Rudi - champion of the United States, one of the most pleasant people with whom I had the pleasure to meet. It was a wonderful guy. Now imagine my dismay when in a couple of weeks began to spread rumours ... our relations. Yes, I know that Rudy - gay, he never concealed his sexual orientation. We communicate from the beginning placed on all points "i", and never on this soil difficulties, we have not risen.
When I call Tarasova said that Rudi live in the room, she shocked: "Lecha, you reveal themselves in their actions the record?". I replied: "Tatyana, all understood. Sezzhayu ". Galindo loved her, she respected him. However, the experience of staying in our terrarium "minded" to my coach, it was much more than we have with Rudi. Tatyana perfectly aware that my unintentionally can be turned against me. And, as always, she was right. I hate gossip and can not tolerate when someone whispered in my back. But since that time for my backs have become particularly frequent whisper, and created a situation, especially at first, very troubled me.
To its credit, Rudy, it does not hurt when I said that perebirayus in another room. By the end of the tour, I shared a room with Anton Sikharulidze. Unfortunately, this belated move does not - spread rumors haunted me for several years.
... After the competitions Tatyana informed me unpleasant news. Q accosted two reporters and asked my relationship with a figure skater. On rumours that he was gay, and journalists apparently tried to find out my sexual orientation. Indeed, we often can be found together. This extraordinary man, and I was interested in his vision of figure skating ...
Since the year before, I lived in a room with Rudi, rumours of this kind haunted me. Many people receive the greatest pleasure, dissolving gossip. God judge them!
ON OLIMPIADE
... Razdavlenny failure, I was in the firm intention never to speak and left the hotel. Tatyana found me ... I waited from Tarasova whatever reaction, but not this one. "Of course, Lesch, if you are tired, let's end will sport" - she said coldly. I added: "No need to go to the Olympics. All the same even with the silver back from there. " Brilliant coach felt that it was better for me not pressure, but give me time to understand yourself. In doing so, it already knew that I urgently needed a new assistant, because the team, which surrounded me, I have not used and absorbed it, not listen to what I say. Tatyana delicately suggested to me by arriving in the United States to meet with a psychologist. "I agree on anything" - I humbly replied.
Rudolph Maksimovic Zagaynov was known sports specialist. He worked for many years with the figure skaters Stanislaw Juca, blindfolded chess, which became the champions of the world. Working with him was very pleasant, I once quietly povedal him all their concerns. Told that lost himself. We just talked about everything. He provided me the written recommendations of how to behave in a given situation, and I always wore them with him. Shortly before the Olympics, Rudolph Maksimovic handed me a piece of paper on which was only one sentence: "Who, if not you, and when, if not now?" Until now, I'm certain of its notes with each other and every time I became ill , I reread.
I resumed training, my jumps are stronger. S Zagaynovym we continued to "poke" in me, and every day I made easier ... In Salt Lake City, I demanded that accompanied me to warm up Zagaynov because could not have found next to the Taras before competitions. She madly nervous.
... And now announced my name. At this moment with me if something happened. I seem vosparil over reality. He was surprisingly calm and balanced. In this state, I started my "Winter". Tribune frozen while I was preparing its first cascade with chetvernym leap. I looked towards the left corner bead to make sure prizemlyus not too close. I stumbled upon on the thorny think Mishin. My former mentor was at the height, just knowing that I see it, and not with me summarize eye. I was well aware of this tactical trick, the purpose of which was to withdraw me from the mental equilibrium. "Do not expect, Alexei!" - I protsedil through the teeth, easily entered the leap and clearly landed. I merely fulfilled, and other elements. At the conclusion of the triple jump lutts just in the corner, which was Mishin, and bestowed upon his carefree smile.
Pereodevshis, I watched his speech on TV rivals behind the scenes. Todd and Elvis otkatali fails, the other for the most part carried out their programs well. Finally Jack came on the ice, and I watch breath. When Plushenko fell, I podprygnul and cried: "Yes! Yes! Yes! "It is unlikely that this escapades Grand me, but at stake was too much, and I could not, and did not want to conceal their joy because approached the golden Olympics. At that moment I realized that would become champion.
... When all been left behind, I fell to his knees and kissed the ice. Then I took off and rasklanyalsya before the audience. Minutes later, the fact that I won the Olympics, fully reached my consciousness, and I was accepted to jump like crazy on the ice. I turned, saw that my coach cries and rushed to it. Here again, I fell down on his knees in front of Tatiana Anatolievna sign of gratitude, respect and love for her. It helped me to realize my most cherished dreams, and the gold medal belonged to her, as well as me.
ON INJURY AND RETURN
Heard? I am coming back to a great sport. I would like to speak at the Olympics in 2010 in Vancouver and win another medal. Personally, I was surprised when it flew before me news! No, I did not make statements. Yes, now it seems real, but what will happen next?
Today, I own a transport company in St. Petersburg, speaking in the show "Ice Age" ... Menem pulls back, "because I nedosorevnovalsya". I want to experience the same feeling sharp as before. There is a lack of competition, adrenaline, without so bored. Maybe because I went too early - in 23 years, and not of their own volition, but because of the injury.
Since 2000, I lived with an occasional first, and then persistent pain in the right thigh. No one knows what pain through, I passed. Any physical exercise brought untold flour ... I drank Pittsburgh sedative pills, otherwise could not endure to the end of the submission. People I tried not hobble and all its guise showed that I had everything in order. But once been behind the scenes, it almost fell, dragging the leg.
... In preparation for the operation with Dr. long, we were discussing what to put prosthesis. Now there are many variations: ceramics, plastic, metal ... Since I decided to stay in the sport, titanium fit best. It is the strong alloy, which grows together with good bones. Titanium head mounted on the pivot and implanted in the same bone screws. Joint mechanism is titanium.
The operation lasted four hours. I woke at 12.30, and 19.00 for I was transferred to the general chamber. Only then I noticed that from me hanging tubes, catheters, and hangs over the head dropper. I am pichkali sedative pills, which I really liked. These were the hard drugs, which, in addition to filming pain, and grabbed another in heaven. But during the years of illness, I took antibiotics so much, I did so many injuries that I think that my body has developed immunity to copyright resistant to drugs.
During the years of anguish, I used to the black humor. I have issued a certificate for passing control at airports: breakwater, the patient is such a clinic, he had a metal knee joint. I ring in the same frame metal detector! I'll be back!!!»
................................................
Sharon
