Komsomolskaya Pravda. July 9, 1974. We're sitting on a low bench, surrounded by mirrors, mats, and all sorts of gymnastics equipment. The worn wooden floor of the spacious hall creaks softly, as if lamenting about its unenviable fate. Seventeen girls - pure fire, a whirlwind (indeed, no words could truly capture them) - race about one after another, paying no heed to the resounding "cannonade" of the windowpanes.
"There's energy to spare," Lavrov smiles.
"The success of your students, and in particular Svetlana Grozdova, who became one of the heroines of the recent national championship, indicates that you have found your direction in gymnastics," I turn to the coach.
"I think it's too early to draw any definitive conclusions. I haven't found it, I'm still searching for my path, my approach to this sport. And really, can any coach say with any certainty that they've finally made their creative choice? I don't think so. You know, I once worked with Yuri Shtukman in Voronezh. He's an excellent specialist. So, from him, I firmly learned one incontrovertible truth: in gymnastics, the winner is the one who's "newer" at the time of a given competition."
By the way, Ruslan Spiridonovich, what sets your students, Svetlana Grozdova and Elena Abramova, who is also on the national team, apart from other gymnasts is that they use elements of the highest difficulty category in their routines. Are you concerned about rumors that some members of the International Gymnastics Federation are trying to veto them?
"You know, no. they won't be able to do that. Is it possible to ban elements that no one has shown yet? For example, we're preparing a whole series of completely new exercises. How can they ban them in advance?"
"As for difficulty, we're constantly thinking about it. And I must say, we've achieved some success. For example, Elena Abramova, whom spectators couldn't see at the national championships because she's too young to compete at that level, does a double somersault in her floor routine. She does it powerfully and confidently. And her front somersault onto the beam (forgive the terminology, but it's impossible to convey the meaning of gymnastics in other words) is truly unique. So is her one-and-a-half pike front somersault over the horse. Grozdova has several completely new elements in her arsenal. They don't even have names yet."
By the say, Ruslan Spiridonovich, could Grozdova have performed better at the national championships? Her fourth place in the all-around is undoubtedly a great success. And yet?
"Perhaps we can let you in on a little secret now. The thing is, Svetlana fell seriously ill the day before the competition. I almost thought she wouldn't be able to compete at all. But everything turned out well. Of course, if not for her illness, we were counting on a higher placing. However, Svetlana is only fifteen years old, and she has her whole life ahead of her."
Your city is now considered the center of women's gymnastics. This is largely due to the fact that another school recently opened next door to yours - the Rastorotsky School, where Lyudmila Turischeva plays leading violin. Are you happy with this proximity?
"Absolutely. Working alongside with a gymnastics expert as Rastorotsky is a great joy. And at the same time, it's a great responsibility. However, if you were to ask me now which of the two schools (I'm referring to the two best Soviet gymnastics schools - Rastorotsky's and Knysh's) I prefer, I would answer: the third. Copying the actions of others means falling behind."
One last question. What do you envision for gymnastics in the near future? Can you look, say, three years ahead?
"Gymnastics was invented as a gift to the audience. Without them, it will cease to exist. Specifically, I believe little will change in three years. The demands on composition will increase, and new, original combinations will accumulate, along with new elements. But the essence of gymnastics will remain the same - to bring joy to people."
E. BORISOV