November 20, 2005
From Sportwereld.be:
SKATING LEGEND EKATERINA GORDEEVA TODAY AT PROXIMUS STARS ON ICE
by Freddy Caremans
translated by Patricia
One of the stars that you can see this afternoon at work for the Proximus Stars On Ice is skating legend Ekaterina Gordeeva. The Russian has a staple of Olympic and World titles. But now she skates for pleasure. "However, I miss my children."
Swiftly Ekaterina Gordeeva takes her skates out of the car. Approximately seven hours before the Proximus Stars On Ice show starts, the Russian star has already arrived at the Antwerp Sportpalais.
The ex-Olympic and world champion Katia Gordeeva wants all the details prepared for.
Ekaterina Gordeeva: "This is the third year I have participated in the show. I enjoy it. There are not many shows in Europe. The audience is very good and that it will show on TV is a bonus."
Meanwhile have you had a chance to get acquainted with Belgium?
Ekaterina: "We don't always have the time to sightsee, but Antwerp I know a bit. I enjoy the old city area. You can eat so well and the people are nice."
You have won everything there is to win and you are just 34 years old, yet you still skate.
Ekaterina: "I consider it now a hobby. This is no competition where you have to have very many special elements in your arsenal. I skate here for myself. It is good to stand on the ice and sometimes I try out new things. This may be my last year though. My body finds it harder and harder and it is also not easy to leave my children behind at home."
You are here with your husband, ex-Olympic champion Ilia Kulik. Who is watching your children?
Ekaterina: "My parents. Most of the time one of the two of us stays home, but this show we are both doing. It is becoming more difficult with the children. They need so much attention. They skate, they swim, they need so much."
Are they also going to become serious skaters?
Ekaterina: "I don't know. The oldest has already begun competing, but the youngest is still somewhat small."
Perhaps you can coach them if you stop skating yourself.
Ekaterina: "I can see myself possibly coaching, but not my own children. A coach must be tough with his pupils."
Our national treasure, Kevin Van Der Perren is also participating (in the show). Do you know him?
Ekaterina: "Yes. When he still trained in America, we skated at the same ice rink. He has come so far. This year he has improved so much. I have seen him do two quadruple jumps. They looked good."
Do you have any tips for him?
Ekaterina: "He must concentrate on his program. This is where he needs more skill. Physically everything is in order, but he needs to concentrate more."
Along with your skating earnings, you also have a corner of the beauty market. You also brought your own perfume to the market and People Magazine named you one of the fifty most beautiful women in the world.
Ekaterina: "I had two different perfumes. In America there was a lot of focus brought upon, but I don't pay too much attention. For me my family is important. My husband and my children. On being chosen (for People), I take no credit. My achievements in skating I take credit for. The perfume or list of beautiful women is not my doing."
You have a positive outlook on life. "Try at least once each day to smile", you once gave as advice. Remarkable for someone who has known difficult moments (Gordeeva's skting partner and then husband Sergei Grinkov passed away in 1995 during training due to a heart attack.)
Ekaterina: "That is just life. Something like this happens, but you must go on with your life, especially when you are young. I had a small daughter. You cannot change anything. You can sit down and do nothing more, but this doesn't help you."
Why should the people who still don't have tickets come this afternoon to see Stars On Ice?
Ekaterina: "There is so much to see. There are so many professional and amateur skters. Many are on the road to the Olympics and they are perfecting their programs. Meanwhile Ilia (Kulik) will entertain the audience."
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