Nikita Nagorny appeared on the cover of Men’s Health Russia this month and the magazine interviewed him together with Alexey Nemov. Nagorny and Nemov talked about their Olympic experiences and Nagorny shared how excited he was to watch Nemov when he was a kid.
Nemov: I remember well how I was where Nikita is now, when in 2000, it was also my second Olympics. My wife was then at the hospital [preparing to give birth], while I had to go to a camp in Adelaide. I knew that she was under the doctors’ supervision but I was still very nervous. I couldn’t even sleep. Then Galina conferred with her ob-gyn and they decided – time to give birth, or the Olympics would be derailed [for me], and indeed Lyoshka was born a bit earlier. I was given a piece of paper on which his palm was traced and I put it in the bag with my uniform. This palm ended up having Midas touch – it brought me six medals.
Nagorny: I will also not be able to take my wife to the Olympics with me. Dasha is a gymnast, too, and we were together at the Rio Olympics but she retired and because of the pandemic, fans from other countries won’t be allowed in Tokyo. Even I will be able to stay there only during my competition period. I’m not allowed to fly in earlier or fly out later. It’s a pity because the Olympics is the event of a lifetime, and I’d want to experience it, to enjoy its atmosphere but I won’t be able to do it this time. But, by the way, I went to my first Games – the Youth Games – completely alone, without the team, only my coach was with me. I was very anxious then. I was also anxious after the lockdown when I felt something unfamiliar. Because of the long break, I just didn’t know what to expect from myself at a competition. What would happen after I raised my arm and went out to compete? For the first time, I felt such uncertainty.
Nemov: We had our own difficulties back then. When the Soviet Union broke down, we didn’t understand at all what was happening to the country. All the difficulties can be overcome through work – with the help of hard work and patience. You have to focus on your work and it’s very important to learn to give everything in the exact moment when it’s needed in order not to burn out too soon. Sometimes, you get so anxious, it takes over all your training. When I went out to compete, I would tell myself, “Ok, Lyokha, just like in training – do everything from start to finish”. That is, I simulated the situation and tried to detach myself from anything outside of my routines. I also tried to calm myself down before going to sleep – not to think about routines even though they kept getting into my head. You lie down, close your eyes, and immediately start doing a pommel horse routine in your mind!
Nagorny: Yes, I can sometimes do tens of routine repetitions in my head before falling asleep. And the worst thing is when you start stumbling and getting nervous – if you can’t do the routine in your mind, how will you do it in real life? I remember my mom advised me to think about something different – to imagine myself on the medal podium in order to calm down and set my mind on the victory. Anyway, your mind is everything. Why, for example, was I able to add the new element [the triple pike] into my routine? I needed confidence. If you have the slightest hint of doubt, you can’t do it, this element is very dangerous. I started doing it during the lockdown – first, on the trampoline, then on the tumble track, and then I knew it was possible. And now this confidence will spread to other athletes. When people see that someone is doing a new element, the mental block is lifted. People realize that it’s possible.
Nemov: When I see our guys’ current routines, I know that they’re in great shape. In order to do such elements, you have to be at the very peak of your shape. I sincerely wish them to stay as long as possible at that level that they raised so high. It would be great to see them at the next Olympics as well. I went through three Olympics – it’s very hard but possible.
Nagorny: But you need crazy motivation for that. I have a friend, Roma Vlasov, a two-time Olympic wrestling champion, he’s now working towards his third medal and, God willing, everything will work out for him. Just think about it – three Olympic quads, twelve years! You train for years, work towards your goal, and then you go out and have only a minute for your routine and the whole competition takes three hours. It’s so fleeting and so valuable! And the most valuable are not the medals but the people who are with you on that journey. Our team is very close and very strong!
Nemov: I also always tried to compete for myself and for my teammates. When you win as a team, it’s a happy moment for everyone, not just for you.
Nagorny: As a child, when I watched you compete, I couldn’t just stay still. I would get up from the couch, flip in front of my TV, repeat some elements.
Nemov: And now we’re going to cheer for you. The team is very strong. Hope it will all work out!
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