The famous Ukrainian gymnast, Olympic champion Liliya Podkopayeva, who now lives more in the United States, in an exclusive interview with the program “Morning with Inter” told about the moment of triumph, personal tragedy and why she left for another country.
At the beginning of her career, only her relatives believed in her success.. But Podkopayeva proved to everyone that she is the best! An important role in the life of the champion was played by her grandmother: it was she who brought 5-year-old Lily to gymnastics.. And she believed in the girl so much that she immediately told the coaches: the granddaughter came for the medals! But they were skeptical of the young gymnast. “When they tried my physical data, they said that I was not very physically strong for gymnastics, not very talented,” recalls the famous athlete. “But the brilliance that I had in my eyes probably charged everyone.”. Then Lily promised her grandmother that she would be the first and stand at the very top of the pedestal..
In 1995, Podkopayeva became the absolute champion of the world, in 1996 she won the absolute European championship. In the summer of that year, she had to go to the Atlanta Olympics, which she had dreamed of participating in all her life.. Two months before the Olympics, Lilia received the first blow of fate: she was injured on a log.. “When I fell, sparks fell from my eyes, the pain was very sharp,” says Lily.. - I started to just crawl on a log. My first thought: I'm flying with the Olympics! "Then Podkopayeva broke two ribs. In order to have time to recover, she was treated with ointments, slept on a wooden bed without a mattress, ate cottage cheese with ground egg shells. But most importantly - she continued to train three times a day.. And a month after the injury, Liliya performed at competitions in Israel, where she won gold medals! Then, in the Holy Land, Podkopayeva left a note in the Wailing Wall with the only request: “Lord, help me become an Olympic champion”.
A month before the Olympics - a new blow: the grandmother of Lily died, the man who was her main support and support.
Having collected all his strength, at the 1996 Summer Olympics, the athlete won two gold medals and became the first Ukrainian to win the Olympic champion in artistic gymnastics. Lily received a “gold” in the absolute championship and in the floor exercise, where Podkopayeva performed a double forward flip with a 180 degree turn.. This element has not yet been able to repeat at the Olympics, no gymnast.
“I devoted the medal of absolute primacy to my grandmother,” says Lilia.
After Atlanta Podkopayeva, an ankle surgery was performed. She tried to return to the sport, but could not. Now the champion lives in the USA. There she claimed: coaches young talents. “I really miss Ukraine, I don’t have enough communication, I don’t have enough sincerity,” Lily admitted.
We will remind, earlier we wrote that the winner of the show “Bach-6” told about relations with Irakli Makatsaria.