On MatchTV, Aliya Mustafina answered questions submitted by her fans.
Q: Which qualities does an Olympic champion need?
A: First of all, being a hardworking person.
Q: How many victories have you achieved?
A: The most important ones – three. Two Olympics and my daughter.
Q: Have you ever lost hope in your career?
A: There were moments when I wanted to give up. I thought that I wouldn’t be able to achieve anything when I was recovering after an injury. But I was able to overcome it, thanks to my loved ones.
Q: Which language would you like to learn?
A: Right now I don’t have the time or a strong desire, but I’d like to learn English.
Q: What professions do you like?
A: Designer. And anything related to art.
Q: Would you like to become a commentator?
A: No, I don’t really like this job.
Q: Would you like to live on an uninhabited island?
A: I’d like to try, yes.
Q: What do you dislike the most in people?
A: Hypocrisy.
Q: Where would you prefer to live – in a house out in the country or in the center of a big city?
A: In the center of a big city. Although to have a house out in the country is nice as well.
Q: Would you like to go to the space?
A: Yes! And I’d like to see how the lack of gravity feels.
Q: Short hair or long?
A: Long hair! Although sometimes I wish for a shorter haircut.
Q: Dress or jeans?
A: Jeans!
Q: What foreign languages do you speak? Your favorite country?
A: I only speak Russian. I know English a little bit but I get shy about speaking it. Favorite country? Russia, first of all. And, to mention something else, I liked Switzerland and Italy.
Q: Do you drive a car?
A: Yes, I’ve been driving for four years already.
Q: Are you friends with the gymnasts from other teams?
A: We competed with the Americans now, we alternated [in the team final] at the World Championships. When I did my routine, I heard the girls from the American team starting to cheer for me. Our fight only starts on the competition floor.
Q: What would you be doing if you weren’t an athlete?
A: I’m doing the sport for my pleasure. If I weren’t an athlete, I guess, I would cook a lot.
Q: Do you have a favorite flower?
A: No, Well, I like lilac. And my favorite color is purple.
Q: What was the most horrible event in your career?
A: I guess, the injury that I got in 2011. I was in a very good shape but that injury derailed me, I had to miss 8 months [of competitions] because of it.
Q: Would you like to be in a movie?
A: Yes, I’d really love to try.
Q: Have you received a lot of criticism during your career?
A: There was a lot of criticism! I got a lot of negativity. But, thanks to it, I learned not to pay attention to it and just do my job.
Q: Do you have a favorite animal?
A: I really like cats and dogs. I’d like to get a dog in the future.
Q: What do you think about Biles taking medication?
A: A gymnast goes out on the competition floor and does their routines. I don’t care about anything that’s beyond the competition floor. It’s upsetting a bit, of course, if the medication is helping her to do these difficult elements…
Q: Why bars?
A: I guess, because it’s my best event. I had a good difficulty on it.
Q: What kind of music do you like?
A: All sorts, I’m a music geek.
Q: Would you like to become a coach?
A: I guess I’d rather not. No one knows what will happen. But for now, no, I don’t want to spend my life in the gym.
Q: Do you pay attention to the news about doping?
A: I try not to pay attention to the news like that. But it’s sad that there’s such an attitude towards our country.
Q: Were you scared when you got invited to the Olympics.
A: You don’t get “invited” to the Olympics. Regarding fear… There was anxiety.
Q: When did you start doing gymnastics?
A: I started gymnastics when I was 6 years old.
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