Daria Atamanov about returning to gymnastics
I came back from time to time to see coaches and watch girls train. I didn't regret leaving, but when I returned, I realized that I wanted to train and compete.
I realized that I wanted to return during European Championships. I watched it at home on TV and told myself that I wanted to be there. I wanted to be with girls again, to feel the excitement of competition. I realized that I could give more. Current rules suit me, and I realized that my journey is not over yet.
I never publicly announced that I was leaving. I knew I wasn't totally sure about decision. I always told myself that I might suddenly want to come back, so I didn't make any final statements.
I don't regret taking this break - I really needed it. I had to distance myself a little to realize how much I wanted to return.
Maybe I was afraid, because Paris Olympic cycle was mentally and physically difficult. Long leg injury, endless recovery, getting injured again and again - it's exhausting. It's hard to miss a year and then go back to two years of work. Maybe I didn't want to go through it again, but in the end I realized that effort was worth it.
Right now, I'm doing one training session a day, not ten hours like I used to. You can't just jump right back into that rhythm. I'm building myself up slowly. I hope that by start of next season, I'll be in position to return to full competition.
LA28 is goal, but it's still far away. After the end of season, it will be possible to look at it more realistically.
First and foremost that I wish - health. To get injured less, to maintain my uniqueness as gymnast.
Original
📸European Gymnastics
I came back from time to time to see coaches and watch girls train. I didn't regret leaving, but when I returned, I realized that I wanted to train and compete.
I realized that I wanted to return during European Championships. I watched it at home on TV and told myself that I wanted to be there. I wanted to be with girls again, to feel the excitement of competition. I realized that I could give more. Current rules suit me, and I realized that my journey is not over yet.
I never publicly announced that I was leaving. I knew I wasn't totally sure about decision. I always told myself that I might suddenly want to come back, so I didn't make any final statements.
I don't regret taking this break - I really needed it. I had to distance myself a little to realize how much I wanted to return.
Maybe I was afraid, because Paris Olympic cycle was mentally and physically difficult. Long leg injury, endless recovery, getting injured again and again - it's exhausting. It's hard to miss a year and then go back to two years of work. Maybe I didn't want to go through it again, but in the end I realized that effort was worth it.
Right now, I'm doing one training session a day, not ten hours like I used to. You can't just jump right back into that rhythm. I'm building myself up slowly. I hope that by start of next season, I'll be in position to return to full competition.
LA28 is goal, but it's still far away. After the end of season, it will be possible to look at it more realistically.
First and foremost that I wish - health. To get injured less, to maintain my uniqueness as gymnast.
Original
📸European Gymnastics