Lala Kramarenko: "We are waiting for performances on the world stage. But we don't have time to be bored"

An exclusive interview with one of the leaders of the Russian rhythmic gymnastics team — about performances in the show, the World Championship, the results of the season and the program of Kamila Valieva.

This season Lala Kramarenko became the leader of our national team. In most competitions, it was she who took the first places. Including a victory in the individual all - around at Spartakiade, ahead of the nearest pursuers by almost five points. In September, she was supposed to go to her first World Championship, where she would fight for gold medals, but our athletes are still not allowed to international starts. But now Lala will be able to show herself at the "Sky Grace" — a unique tournament organized by the Alina Kabaeva Charitable Foundation. The competitions will be held in Sochi from December 2 to December 4.

Decoration from fans

— You recently took part in Svetlana Khorkina's show. How do you feel at such events?

— I really like to perform outside of competitions. There is an opportunity to try something new, try on images. Performing in front of a full house is very inspiring.

— Was it a long preparation for the show?

— We prepare programs every day. The organizers chose the music that fits into the concept of the whole show, and together with Ekaterina Grigorievna Dementieva they composed a number. I had two days to prepare, as I had just returned from training camp in Dubai.

— What was it like to perform in a dark hall?

— The lighting on the show is very different from the competition. But it's an experience like trying to catch an object with your eyes closed. I'm practicing.

— Why did you decide to make a number with fabric for the show?

— We always perform with an object in our hands. When there is something, you already feel confident. You know, in gymnastics it is more difficult to perform without a subject. As a child, it was more difficult for me. And we decided to take the red fabric for the image and the transmission of rhythm.

— The season is coming to an end. What was he like with you?

— The season was good, but there is always something to strive for.

— If you look at the results this year, it is obvious that you are coming to the fore. Did you feel that you became the main gymnast of the country?

— I leave the evaluation of the results and the overall plan of the gymnastics world to the judges and my coaches. All the gymnasts in the national team are strong, and I am glad to compete. Each of us feels the same responsibility, going out on the carpet, in front of the coach, in front of Irina Alexandrovna Viner, in front of the audience and in front of the country.

— Do you feel that you have become more popular?

— Believe me, nothing has changed in my life. I love all my fans very much. I always like it when people come to support and shout. Thanks a lot to the fans. I hear everything, I read all the notes. I am very pleased!

— Were there any unusual meetings with fans?

— In August, when I went to Saint Petersburg for a master class, a master of very beautiful jewelry came to me at the airport. She gave me one of her products, with which I perform. She was with her daughters. I also prepared memorable gifts for them in response.

World championship

— Did you have enough competitions this year?

— You know, of course, we are looking forward to performing on the world stage, but we have a lot of starts in Russia. We don't have time to be bored. Special thanks to our Irina Alexandrovna. She always knows how to get out of any situation, and supports us.

— It's not a shame that almost the whole season I had to perform in Russia?

— Only someone who has passed this school next to me will understand what I have inside.

— Do you follow what is happening at the international starts? Have you watched the World Cup?

— Of course, I watched it and I want to perform.

— Did you have any thoughts that you could have won your first world champion title this year?

— Please leave this topic. I'm with my country.

— More and more athletes from different sports are now changing their citizenship in order to compete at international competitions. Are you not considering such an alternative?

— Every athlete has the right to make his own decisions. You know, we gave our whole lives to come to the same medal. I will speak for myself personally — there is no talk of changing citizenship and speaking for another country.

— When we return to the international arena, what balance of forces will we see?

— Let's go back, and then we'll see.

Kamila Valieva's program

— How satisfied are you with this season? What do you remember?

— For me, all seasons are memorable. In this I can note the refinement of the image. I started working with a stylist, and the gymnastics world picked it up very quickly. I am very glad that we are with Irina Alexandrovna and my coaches introduced such a fashion.

— What are your plans for the new season? What's new in the programs to wait for?

— We have already compiled the program, but we will not reveal all the secrets yet.

— Who and how generally selects music for your programs?

— Irina Alexandrovna does not sleep at night, and in the morning she sends something new - both music and video. It works around the clock. We are also creating a program with Laysan Insafovna Savitskaya. Everyone in the team is working hard.

— It's not very clear what the next season will be like. Some athletes try themselves in something new. Would you like to try yourself in TV projects?

— TV projects are great, but for now I'm in professional sports. I can't spare the time for this.

— And if they call, for example, in the "Ice Age"?

— Everything is only after the completion of my sports career.

— I know that you follow figure skating and have noted Kamila Valieva more than once. How do you like her program this season?

— Wonderful and lyrical, like herself. She has a very interesting program, especially to the music from the movie "Interstellar". I liked the idea with Morse code. Arbitrary is also gorgeous — she tells all her pain that she experienced at the Olympic Games, and rides with incredible feelings.

— This is your senior year at school. What are your plans next? Are you going to enroll somewhere?

— Plans — to learn and only to learn. Most likely, I will enter Lesgaft University in St. Petersburg. To be honest, it's hard to force myself to take a textbook. After training, I want to relax, see my family, chat with friends. But I have a senior year — exams and admission. I want to pass everything well. Well, until the Olympic season comes, there is more time to study.

— You will have a vacation soon. How will you spend it?

— I already had a vacation. We are working now. And the plans for the holidays are to be with the family.

Source: Sport-Express.