Evgenia Medvedeva: “Looking back is not in my rules”

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“People let go of the past, but only when they take off,” Mia Boyka sings during Zhenya’s performance at the Russian Challenge tournament. These words absolutely accurately reflect the feelings that Medvedev experiences, looking at the footage from the Olympics in Korea at the beginning of the issue, at his tears and a silver medal.

However, looking back is not in her rules. Zhenya confidently goes forward on her way. She is interested in everything from the “Ice Age” and filming in films to provocative Youtube-show and football. In all her endeavors, she feels the tremendous support of her fans. And the full stands that sing: “Spreading our wings, we will fly high” during the rental of Zhenya is another confirmation of this. Such love and devotion throughout the journey is more precious than any gold.

Zhenya, tell us about the Russian Challenge tournament. How do you like this format?

Gathering different generations on ice in one show is certainly interesting. Ilya Averbukh and I painstakingly prepared our number, I was completely focused on it. So I haven’t even had time to watch other participants’ productions to analyze. For me, the most important assessment was the reaction of the audience and my fans – and I am grateful to them for the emotions that I received. A lot of spectators supported me in the stands and sang along with the wonderful Mia Boyka. That was incredible!

How is the demonstration program for shows different from the demonstration program for international competitions?

Globally nothing. Unless at the demonstration performances of the World or European Championships, the audience is more professional. Competitive programs differ directly, short and free, for which marks are given. Technique and skill are important here. And the demonstration performance both at the Olympics and at the tournament will be bright, spectacular, in the truest sense of the word, demonstrative.

You admitted that the outfit for the show helped you come up with artificial intelligence. How did you come up with the idea for the program?

During the tour with Ilya Averbukh’s ice show, we traveled by bus from Cherepovets. The trip was long and there wasn’t much to do. I started thinking about the upcoming tournament and my dress. As a result, I went into the application with artificial intelligence, scored a bunch of words about my image, and the program gave me the possible options. I sent them to our dressmaker, she made several sketches, and we chose the most suitable one.

Are you interested in fashion? At one time, you even had Fashion highlights on the social network.

Interested, but not so active lately. Now I choose comfort. In general, I’m only 23 years old and I’m looking for my own style. This is fine.

You have been providing for yourself for a long time. Do you often give yourself expensive gifts or only on important occasions?

I buy myself something valuable when I’m in a bad mood. (smiling) But I never liked to spend a lot. I can’t say that I grew up in a very wealthy family. I learned to save early and think about what I spend on. I remember from childhood: I really wanted to buy one thing, I won’t tell you which one, but then my mother answered that it was very expensive and we couldn’t afford it. After 15 years, this company approached me for an advertisement and offered me a fee. I told my mother about this, and she told me: “Lord, how proud I am of you!” It was sad and funny at the same time. Interesting emotions.

Recently, you posted a video online, where you performed a clean triple salchow in training. Do you have the feeling that in figure skating you have not yet shown all your abilities?

I didn’t want to stop competing. I have very big back problems. Even the nerves in the back had to be removed (denervation is called), but it still didn’t help. At the age of 18–19, the pains were constant, at some point I simply physically could no longer pull my level. Therefore, it was decided to complete with professional sports. I really miss the competitions, on the other hand, life is calmer without them.

Not so long ago, figure skater Ekaterina Korchazhnikova tried to perform a quadruple salchow at the competitions, and she is only 9 years old. Yagudin once commented: “If in my time they told me that girls would jump four quadruples in the program, I would say – this is nonsense.” Why do you think women’s figure skating is developing especially quickly?

It’s simple – competition. When there are thousands of people in one sport for one place, then everyone plows like crazy. Plus, we have a very strong coaching school: Tutberidze, Mishin, Vodorezova. It is also important to take into account the fact that Yagudin spoke 20 years ago, then there was a different medicine and methods. Science and technology do not stand still, progress is not only in figure skating, but also in other sports.

You once said: “If it’s hard for you, then you are doing everything right.” What is the hardest thing in life for you right now?

The hardest part is getting up early in the morning. I hate early work.

Not so long ago, the age limit was increased in figure skating: by the 2024-2025 season, only athletes over 17 years old will be able to participate in competitions. Why do you think the Sports Federation went for it? What are the pros and cons?

I won all my main victories at the age of 16-17, so I cannot support these changes. But if you approach it from the point of view of medicine and the health of athletes, I think this makes good sense. On the other hand, I’m almost sure that no one would have supported these changes if there hadn’t been such a dominance of figure skaters from Russia.

In 2018, there was talk that you could change citizenship and play for Armenia. In the current circumstances, the change of citizenship for many athletes is the only chance to prove themselves in international competitions. How do you feel about it?

In fact, all the talk about my transfer to the Armenian national team is not true. I never even thought about it. I was born and raised in Russia. This country has given me everything that I have at the moment. But I do not deny my Armenian roots. Maybe someday we’ll come with an ice show. I would be interested in visiting Yerevan.

And about the change of citizenship – this is everyone’s business. This happens all the time. In any sport. The Brazilians play football for the Russian national team, the Korean Viktor Ahn won three gold medals for our country in Sochi. American Vic Wild won two golds and one bronze at the Olympics for Russia. I take this calmly, with understanding. Everyone has their own life.

It’s hard to believe, but recently you celebrated 20 years on the ice. They say that figure skating never leaves the life of an athlete. Do you agree with this? Was there a moment when you thought: that’s it, I will never return to the ice?

All failures can be overcome, trust me. Thoughts to quit everything visited me more than once. I think every person has experienced a moment when they give up. At such moments, it is worth looking back at your life and paying attention: your loved ones are alive, healthy, you have where to sleep and what to eat. There are a huge number of problems in the world that are more important than the sports career of Evgenia Medvedeva. And it’s a sin for me to complain about my life.

You said that you do not see yourself as a coach, while you are actively developing in sports journalism. Who do you see yourself as?

It’s a difficult question. I like the conversational genre and I want to move in that direction. I work on the technique of speech, my own style. There are different ideas, I will tell about them after the fact. But I don’t forget about sports either. Now coaching is irrelevant for me, but I am ready to share my experience.

You are actively cooperating with the Dynamo football club. What do you like about football, do you follow the standings?

It happened by accident. I was invited to the final of the Cup of Russia “Dynamo” – “Spartak” in 2022 at the stadium “Luzhniki”. Spartak had the majority of fans in the stands. Then I thought, damn it, I’ll be rooting for Dynamo! Firstly, they have a cool shape – I love the blue color. Secondly, there are a lot of young people in the team, and this is captivating. In that match, Dynamo, unfortunately, lost, but I really liked the atmosphere at the stadium and the game in general. Soon I was invited to a couple more matches of the club, I was impressed by the VTB Arena and caught myself thinking that I wanted to go there more often. We became friends with the club employee Sabina Koch, and then with other guys. This is how our friendship with Dynamo was born. I was offered to participate in various content activities of the club, and I gladly agreed.

What are your hobbies now, how do you spend your free time?

The first 20 years of my life were very active, so now: sofa, TV and delicious food. (smiling) Sometimes you just want to be lazy and do nothing. But if we talk about outdoor activities, I recently became interested in skiing.

In “Ice Age” you skated with Danya Milokhin, who unexpectedly left the show. What has this experience taught you? What is your relationship like now?

He did what he did. At the moment we do not have any relationship. We just don’t communicate. I want to note that we did not swear and there was no conflict between us.

There are many popular bloggers among your friends – Katya Adushkina, Vasha Marusya, Egor Ship. You long and hard went to your dream, and they became popular in a couple of years. What is the difference between your worldview and what unites you?

I really don’t want to rant, they say, I achieved success with sweat and blood, but the guys are different. No way. All the guys are very cool and talented. Everyone with whom I communicate is united by one quality – kindness. Our outlook is similar. We do not wish harm to anyone, we love to fool around and live in pleasure. Perhaps I will allow myself a little pathos and say that the only difference between us is that I can be more disciplined somewhere.

For some reason, such a trend has developed in Russian figure skating – no one reveals the details of their personal lives. Why did you personally decide for yourself not to advertise the relationship in any way?

My mother raised me in such a way that the personal should be inside. But at the same time, I do not claim that I will hide all my life. I just don’t like to share the details of my personal life. To be honest, I don’t even understand who might be interested in this.

Style: Olga Romanenkova
Makeup: Anna Merkusheva Hairstyle: Svetlana Shaida
Producer: Olga Zakatova
Photographer’s assistant: Pavel Kulish
Stylist assistant: Julia Bazrova
Producer Assistant: Elizaveta Kondakova
We thank the space “Fraction eight” and the Moscow Union of Artists for their help in organizing and conducting the shooting.