Coach Polina Shadrova speaks about the transfer of student Alisa Kirpicheva to the Academy

Alisa Kirpicheva from St. Petersburg joined the Academy group exercise team of the 2012 year of birth in January. 

The gymnast competed in the individual event earlier and was practicing under the guidance of Polina Shadrova. At the St. Petersburg championship, the specialist of the A. S. Rakhlin Olympic Reserve Athletic School told the details of Alisa’s transfer and the role played in it by two-time Olympic champion Evgenia Kanaeva:

"It was suggested to us by Evgenia Olegovna Kanaeva, as she was supervising Alisa and helped me a lot. Initially, it was her idea to try to showcase her in the group exercise program because she was highlighted at the Hopes of Russia, and we were offered to try to pass the selection. For Alisa personally, this is a responsibility. Although in terms of the apparatus, in terms of the elements, I knew that she would have no problems."

The coach also shared how the gymnast's adaptation at the Academy is going:

We are in constant contact because I am indeed a big support for her. And she is always so inspired. She has really changed a lot; she has matured a lot. She really likes it there. She liked Anna Pavlovna. She has integrated very well here."