Alisa Medvedeva and Nicole Rimarachin Diaz share their impressions of participating in the Alina Kabaeva Grand Prix Champions Cup

Alisa Medvedeva and Nicole Rimarachin Diaz from Moscow are participating in the Alina Kabaeva Grand Prix Champions Cup under the Sky Grace International Association quota. Alisa placed 12th at the Russian Championships, Nicole 16th. Only the Top-8 gymnasts advanced directly to the tournament.

The gymnasts shared their impressions of participating in the tournament. Alisa noted the incredible support from the stands:

"I had a break for the weekend after the Russian Championships. And my coach wrote to me in the morning and said that dreams come true, miracles happen and that I will go to the  Alina Kabaeva Grand Prix Champions Cup. I was given this chance, for which I am incredibly grateful to Alina Maratovna and the Sky Grace, to the entire team. It's a miracle to perform in such an arena. Everyone speaks different languages. It's a completely different atmosphere and a completely different scale. I am incredibly happy. I experienced incredible emotions. Huge hall, enormous support. Plenty of people came. Large gifts and posters. I'm actually in shock. And there were a huge number of people sitting in the Luzhniki center, especially during the Russian Championships. I came straight after the hoop performance and I was crying. I was told, ‘Why are you crying? You did well.’ I say, ‘There are so many of them, they are so supportive.’ It really does give me so much motivation. And I get goosebumps indeed every time I go out, and it was the same here. I perform for them, so I thank them very much."

And Nicole talked about her programs and what kind of mood she tries to convey to the audience through them:

"I’m actually very glad that I came here. Alina Maratovna invited me, I am very grateful to her for that. I really like this tournament. There are a lot of fans here, everyone is supporting. I hope that after my performance the audience's spirits are lifted and they are charged with positive emotions. I have a lot of musical points and accents in the ball routine. This allows me to reveal my artistry, and I play with the audience there, trying to make sure everyone likes it. I have my hoop performance to classical music. I try to convey a gentle image there. In general, to convey the whole beauty of rhythmic gymnastics."