Athletes are people too: they think about quitting sports and answer their mother’s questions: “When will you get married?” “Goldfish” Alexandra Gerasimenya spoke about the difficulties in her sports and personal life, as well as overcoming them, for the joint project “Hero of Our Time” between Hennessy Very Special and Bolshoi magazine.
- How do you feel about being called a “goldfish”?
I'm calm. Moreover, this nickname is already more than ten years old. I once won three gold medals at the European Youth Championships, and one of the journalists nicknamed me “goldfish.” It's been the same since then.
- What was the most difficult moment in your sports career?
It would be wrong to single out one point. At each stage, new obstacles appeared that had to be dealt with. When I first started swimming, I was one of the laggards. And I even decided that swimming was not for me, I had to stop. I didn’t leave only because of the team: the guys I studied with and the coaches. She turned from a laggard into a leader and maintained her leadership in the future. The next difficult moment came when I was disqualified for two years. You understand that when you train just for the sake of training, it somehow doesn’t work out very well. It's very difficult to study when you don't have a goal. But she wasn’t there because I couldn’t compete. Initially, it was a question of disqualification for four years. It was difficult psychologically, plus there were also health problems.
- During your disqualification, did you have any thoughts of quitting swimming and doing something else?
Of course, more than once. But, again, you understand that you have just started your swimming career and you can’t stop right away... There was a desire to prove that I can achieve results. Despite the fact that someone doesn't want it. Oddly enough, negative motivation - when you prove yourself, get angry - is much stronger than just the desire to fulfill the category standard or win first place.
You talked about how you could retire after the World Championships in Kazan. What event or thought made you want to continue?
Probably anger at the situation and the understanding that I want and, most importantly, can achieve Olympic gold. Moreover, there were six months left before the Olympics in Rio, and I would never have forgiven myself if I had not tried.
- Maybe you have some kind of personal attitude? What you tell yourself when you feel bad.
I will say this: one thing never works. If you managed to persuade yourself once, it is not a fact that you will succeed again. We must constantly look for new ways and methods, come up with inspiring ideas. Sometimes I scolded myself. Sometimes she persuaded. Such elementary, ridiculous, absolutely simple things that should not have given results - but they did. Although a psychologist works with us, so in this regard it is much easier for athletes.
Never stop, never give up. Difficulties build character and make you better.
- You are an example of a strong, successful girl who is moving towards her goal. Who do you look up to?
I am a person who does not create an idol for myself. I have never tried to imitate anyone. But I try to see in others the qualities that I myself would like to acquire. There are many such people. When I accidentally cross paths and work with them, I am always amazed. It’s not without reason that they say that we meet people for a reason. Life gives us the opportunity to learn something from them. I think this is true. Even a person who did not treat you very well is also needed for something in life. Difficulties build character and make you better.
- What character traits would you like to develop in yourself?
I understand that I am not perfect: I have many positive and negative traits. I would like to cultivate patience and self-control. It would seem that at my level in swimming an athlete must have such qualities. I agree, but again, professionally you can feel calm, but in life you can approach everyday issues completely differently.
I have a question that is relevant for a beautiful young woman who devotes almost all her time to her career: sports or business. What about the family?
Important question. I wouldn't say that combining family and career is a problem. But I think it is very important that your companion supports your endeavors. We have a stereotype: a woman must clean, do laundry, cook, go to the store, and raise a child. But when dad is also involved, both parents will be able to manage everything both in the family and in their careers. The main thing is to act as one team. Many women find themselves in motherhood. I don't think this is good or bad. This is their desire. Then the woman raises the children, looks after the house - and feels great. But there are those who see themselves not only in motherhood, who need personal growth and fulfillment in their profession. Everyone has their own needs, right? A person, be it a man or a woman, feels uncomfortable if the birth of a child cancels out the dreams and plans that he had. It shouldn't be like this, it's wrong. You need to find a balance between career and family.
Are your relatives trying to influence you? Are they not talking about how it’s time to quit sports and focus on motherhood?
I am a person who is difficult to influence. Everything has its time. I don't give up motherhood. Of course, I understand that my parents want to become grandparents and try themselves in a new role. But this is my family, right? I’m glad that my loved ones are worried and worried about me, but I decide for myself what to do next. Of course, I had a conversation about family with my mother - this is my mother! But there was no such thing as “stop being a girl!” Moreover, I am constantly busy, I don’t have time to “sit”.
-Where do you see yourself in ten years? Are you an athlete or a mother, do you live in Belarus or abroad?
Ten years is such a short time! During this time, nothing may change radically. Of course, I see myself as a family man, with children. Will I still be swimming in ten years? Keeping yourself in shape, taking part in local competitions - yes. And do your other favorite thing, which is swimming.
- What do you expect from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics?
I have the most optimistic expectations!
News of Belarus. The swimmer made comments about Belarusian athletes during a talk show.
There are no complaints against you regarding the Olympics - you brought a medal. But you, too, are part of the team, and you probably also partly take this assessment personally. Fair assessment? Failure? Disgusting results?
Alexandra Gerasimenya, Olympic medalist (Rio de Janeiro, 2016):
In fact, of course, I bring medals to the second Olympics, and the second Olympics is considered unsatisfactory. Of course, for me personally this is a shame, because I consider my performance quite successful. Maybe not 100% as I wanted, of course. But I completed my minimum program. Yes, of course, it’s possible that the guys weren’t able to reach a higher level in order to perform more successfully at the Olympics and at least break into the semi-finals and finals. But, given that there was such a massive decline in results, I think it’s not so much their fault. Because, after all, if there is a drop in the results of the team - and they trained in the same places, at the same training camps - then, I think, there is a question for the management as to why this happened.
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Awards and medals
| Swimming | ||
| Olympic Games | ||
| Silver | London 2012 | 100 m/s |
| Silver | London 2012 | 50 m a/s |
| Bronze | Rio de Janeiro 2016 | 50 m a/s |
| World Championships | ||
| Silver | Melbourne 2007 | 50m back |
| Gold | Shanghai 2011 | 100 m/s |
| World Short Course Championships | ||
| Gold | Istanbul 2012 | 50 m a/s |
| European Championships | ||
| Bronze | Berlin 2002 | 50m back |
| Bronze | Berlin 2002 | 50 m a/s |
| Silver | Budapest 2006 | 50m back |
| Gold | Budapest 2010 | 50m back |
| Silver | Budapest 2010 | 100 m/s |
| European Short Course Championships | ||
| Silver | Riesa 2002 | 50 m a/s |
| Silver | Riesa 2002 | 4×50 m high-speed relay |
| Bronze | Trieste 2005 | 50m back |
| Silver | Istanbul 2009 | 50m back |
| Bronze | Istanbul 2009 | 100m back |
| Gold | Chartres 2012 | 50 m a/s |
| Silver | Chartres 2012 | 50 m butterfly |
| Bronze | Chartres 2012 | 4×50 m high-speed relay |
| Bronze | Netanya 2015 | funny comb. 4x50m relay |
| Universiade | ||
| Silver | Bangkok 2007 | 50 m a/s |
| Silver | Bangkok 2007 | 50m back |
| Gold | Belgrade 2009 | 50 m a/s |
| Silver | Belgrade 2009 | 100 m/s |
| Bronze | Belgrade 2009 | 50m back |
| Gold | Shenzhen 2011 | 50 m a/s |
| Silver | Shenzhen 2011 | 50m back |
| Bronze | Shenzhen 2011 | 100m back |
| Gold | Kazan 2013 | 100 m/s |
| Gold | Kazan 2013 | 50 m a/s |
| Gold | Kazan 2013 | 50 m butterfly |
| Silver | Kazan 2013 | 50m back |
| State awards | ||
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Alexandra Viktorovna Gerasimenya(belor. Alyaksandra Viktarauna Gerasimenya; genus. 31th of December ( 19851231 ) , Minsk, Belarusian SSR) - Belarusian swimmer, two-time vice-champion of the 2012 Olympic Games (50 and 100 meters freestyle), bronze medalist of the 2016 Olympic Games (50 meters freestyle), winner of gold awards at the World and European Championships both in " long water" (pool 50 m) and "short" (pool 25 m). Multiple Universiade champion (2009, 2011 and 2013). Honored Master of Sports of the Republic of Belarus (2012). He competes in freestyle, backstroke and butterfly swimming.
Sports achivments
Gerasimenya achieved her highest achievements in 2010-2012. In 2010, she won the European Aquatics Championships in Budapest in the 50-meter backstroke (where she also came second in the 100-meter freestyle). In 2011, at the World Championships in Shanghai, Alexandra shared first place in the 100-meter freestyle with Danish Janette Ottesen.
At the 2012 London Olympics on August 2, Alexandra won silver in the 100-meter freestyle with a national record of 53.38 seconds, losing to Ranomi Kromowidjojo of the Netherlands, who swam an Olympic record of 53.00 seconds. On August 4, in the 50-meter freestyle, history repeated itself: Gerasimenya swam a national record (24.28 seconds), but lost to Kromovidjojo (24.05 seconds).
At the end of 2012, she won gold in the 50-meter freestyle in a 25-meter pool, first at the European Championships in Chartres, and then at the World Championships in Istanbul.
In the summer of 2013, she won three golds (50 and 100 meters freestyle, 50 meters butterfly) and one silver (50 meters backstroke) at the Universiade in Kazan. At a distance of 50 meters freestyle, Gerasimenya won the third Universiade in a row.
At the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio, she won a bronze medal in the final heat of the 50-meter freestyle.
Awards
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Alexandra Viktorovna Gerasimenya(Belarusian Aliaksandra Viktarauna Gerasimenya; born December 31, 1985, Minsk, Belarusian SSR) - Belarusian swimmer, two-time vice-champion of the 2012 Olympic Games (50 and 100 meters freestyle), bronze medalist of the 2016 Olympic Games (50 meters freestyle ), winner of gold medals at the World and European Championships both in “long water” (50 m pool) and “short water” (25 m pool). Multiple Universiade champion (2009, 2011 and 2013). Honored Master of Sports of the Republic of Belarus (2012). He competes in freestyle, backstroke and butterfly swimming.
Sports achivments
Gerasimenya achieved her highest achievements in 2010-2012. In 2010, she won the European Aquatics Championships in Budapest in the 50-meter backstroke (where she also came second in the 100-meter freestyle). In 2011, at the World Championships in Shanghai, Alexandra shared first place in the 100-meter freestyle with Danish Janette Ottesen.
At the 2012 London Olympics on August 2, Alexandra won silver in the 100-meter freestyle with a national record of 53.38 seconds, losing to Ranomi Kromowidjojo of the Netherlands, who swam an Olympic record of 53.00 seconds. On August 4, in the 50-meter freestyle, history repeated itself: Gerasimenya swam a national record (24.28 seconds), but lost to Kromovidjojo (24.05 seconds).
At the end of 2012, she won gold in the 50-meter freestyle in a 25-meter pool, first at the European Championships in Chartres, and then at the World Championships in Istanbul.
In the summer of 2013, she won three golds (50 and 100 meters freestyle, 50 meters butterfly) and one silver (50 meters backstroke) at the Universiade in Kazan. At a distance of 50 meters freestyle, Gerasimenya won the third Universiade in a row.
At the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio, she won a bronze medal in the final heat of the 50-meter freestyle.
Awards
- Order of the Fatherland, III degree (2012).
- Order of Honor (2016).
News of Belarus. The main star of Belarusian swimming, Alexandra Gerasimenya, now follows the top forums exclusively on TV, as reported in the “Sports Week” program on STV. The young mother supports her husband Evgeniy Tsurkin and the entire Belarusian team from Minsk.
Our correspondent Yulia Silipitskaya met with the famous athlete and talked about swimming and life outside of it.
Yulia Silipitskaya:
The World Short Course Championship has now started. Are you following the tournament?
Alexandra Gerasimenya:
Certainly. Especially because my Zhenya is there.
Yulia Silipitskaya:
Isn’t it strange that only 8 athletes went, and 8 coaches with them? What's the point?
Alexandra Gerasimenya:
In fact, these are not only trainers, but also a massage therapist and a psychologist. In general, this is normal in a good team.
“Anastasia Shkurdai is a really very good athlete”
Yulia Silipitskaya:
Anastasia Shkurdai is compared to you, do you think she will surpass you? Isn’t it scary that competition has appeared?
Alexandra Gerasimenya:
To compete, you have to swim. I don’t know anything about Nastya as a person, but she is really a very good athlete.
“I don’t like to give forecasts, I’m an athlete, and we’re all superstitious”
Yulia Silipitskaya:
Forecast for the World Cup?
Alexandra Gerasimenya:
I don’t like to make predictions, I’m an athlete, and we’re all superstitious. Today we already have a medal, and one medal is already a good performance. I wish there was more. You see: they perform well even without me.
Yulia Silipitskaya:
How did your club stand out this year? Will daughter Sofia take her first steps there?
Alexandra Gerasimenya:
The club is very good. We have already switched to an electronic registration form, and the most important thing is that this week we will have a tournament where the guys will be selected for international competitions. The youngest participants were born in 2013. And, of course, the elders. There is no program for people like Sofia, but in the near future we want to open groups for younger kindergarteners.
Yulia Silipitskaya:
There is talk of forming a water sports association. Your opinion? Could you lead?
Alexandra Gerasimenya:
It depends on why you do it, if it will be useful in your work, then of course, why not.
Photo source: instagram.com/aleksandraherasimenia
Yulia Silipitskaya:
Could you lead?
Alexandra Gerasimenya:
Why not. I have colossal international experience that I can share.
« I have already started training»
Yulia Silipitskaya:
Thinking of preparing for Tokyo?
Alexandra Gerasimenya:
A very difficult question. I have already started training, but I will say: it’s difficult not because I haven’t trained for a long time, but because I have to leave Sofia, who is breastfeeding. So I'm very happy with being a mother for now.
Yulia Silipitskaya:
Besides being a mom, where do you see yourself in swimming?
Alexandra Gerasimenya:
I have my own club, but I haven’t thought that far yet. I enjoy my current status.
Yulia Silipitskaya:
After Sofia was born, did the old Gerasimenya remain?
Alexandra Gerasimenya:
Of course I have changed. The most important thing is that she became calm and settled down.
Photo source: instagram.com/aleksandraherasimenia
« We are losing many talented children because there are no swimming pools in their area.»
Yulia Silipitskaya:
What do you think needs to be radically changed in Belarusian swimming in order for world-class stars to appear?
Alexandra Gerasimenya:
We must, of course, pay attention to the regions, because we are losing many talented children because there are no swimming pools in their area. And of course, all groups should be free, although our swimming sections are all free. Well, the coaching staff needs to be stimulated.
“Three medals are comparable to three children. I’m ready for the third one too.”
Yulia Silipitskaya:
Would you like to compete at your home European or World Championships?
Alexandra Gerasimenya:
Yes, this is great, but the second European Games are ahead, we’ll see how everything goes. I hope everything will be great. Regarding the World Championship, it could have been held at the Minsk Arena. Yes Yes. There are such collapsible bowl structures that are rented during forums. It would be great!
Photo source: instagram.com/aleksandraherasimenia
Yulia Silipitskaya:
Three Olympic medals, in terms of emotions, what can surpass?
Alexandra Gerasimenya:
Well, of course, the birth of a child. And three medals are comparable to three children. I'm ready for the third!