Artur Dalaloyan is skipping the current national team training camp in order to focus on recovery. Lucky for us, he also had some time for interviews and talked to Russian GQ about what he expected from 2020 and how he is reacting to what has been happening.
Q: What did the 2020 mean to you [originally], what goals did you set for yourself?
A: Right after the New Year’s holiday, I started training. The year could have been amazing for me. I had plans for medals, for the European Championships, and, of course, for the Olympics. I was preparing for an ambitious and awesome season. I tried to not waste emotions, to get into a good shape and approach the first competitions this way. But then the turmoil started. First, because of the doping [scandal]. I started worrying that the Russian team would be banned from the Olympics altogether.
Q: Are you talking about the CAS hearing?
A: Yes. Then, they started saying that we would be allowed [to compete] but under a neutral flag. Of course, emotions and some expectations started fading. After all, the feelings when you compete under a neutral flag are a bit different. But, of course, we would still fight for medals like we always have. But the motivation would be different compared to when you see the flag of the country and hear the anthem.
Q: Were you following the decision process regarding the postponement of the Olympics?
A: I’m subscribed to the Russian Olympic Committee, to the International Olympic Committee, I follow the news And, actually, all the decisions, all the actions connected to the cancellation of the Olympics were on the news and in the papers, it wasn’t hard to follow.
Q: Were you at the camp during that time?
A: Yes. Since New Year, from January 5th to April 1st, we were at camps all the time. When the coronavirus issues started, our training center Round Lake was closed and gymnasts were moved to the Olympic training center Novogorsk. That was where we were training. But there is no artistic gymnastics gym in Novogorsk. They have an indoor track and a gym for T&T gymnasts and we could use them in order to stay in shape somehow.
Q: Why weren’t you sent home?
A: The thing is that gymnastics is a kind of sport where you can spend half a year on getting in shape and then lose it all in a week. It’s hard work that requires coordination.
Q: Rhythmic gymnasts were training at Novogorsk at the same time as you, right?
A: Synchronized swimmers and girls from the artistic gymnastics team came there, while rhythmic gymnasts have always been there.
Q: And was your team the only one that had positive coronavirus results?
A: Yes, two positive results – the head coach and one guy from the team. One day they moved us to another building and a day after they said we could all go home and stay isolated there. They kept the synchronised swimmers there for a couple more days but then told them the same. But in literally four days our head coach did another test and tested negative. I don’t know what’s the truth. It’s impossible to find out.
Q: How exactly were you training at that center if there was no equipment there?
A: There was no artistic gymnastics equipment there. Bars on which you could do difficult elements, floor, pommel horse. We brought some equipment with us from Round Lake – you couldn’t do elements on it but it was enough for strength exercises in order to stay in shape. That was what we were doing at Novogorsk. Not elite gymnastics but conditioning, we were trying not to lose what we had. Because even now, all that time we spent in isolation will affect our fitness. It’s entirely possible that some guys will never be able to get back to the level they were at before.
Q: If not for the positive tests, would you have been able to keep training at Novogorsk?
A: Quite likely. The plan was to isolate us there for two months, so that we would only train, without leaving the center, like the rhythmic gymnasts.
Q: Is it harder for you to train at home, to force yourself to move?
A: Of course, it’s very hard. After Novogorsk, I spent two weeks at home alone, I was isolated, and it was a bit easier. I didn’t have to spend energy on chores, on family. And when my wife and daughter came back, it became harder to train. I had to force myself. But my wife is an amazing person. Even when I’m giving up, when it seems like I’m too tired, she finds energy in herself and in me in order to train and stay in shape, keep the weight down. Without training, I gain weight fast. She knows this and tries to motivate and force me, I’m very grateful to her.
Q: So, you’re mostly talking about mental and not physical exhaustion, right?
A: Yes. You’re training at home, trying hard, but don’t see the point, because you don’t know when competitions and camps will start, when the pandemic will be over. It’s as if I was blindfolded and told: walk along the highway. I can’t see anything but I still have to walk. It’s not easy, of course.
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