European games: the return of the legendary athlete, burning tatami and technical grace

Today began the Second European Games in Minsk, which will compete with 198 Ukrainian athletes. For some, this is not only a struggle for the title of the best on the continent, but also the necessary licensing points for the Olympics in Tokyo. What are the feelings on the eve of the competition? What to expect from performances?

Bogdan Bondarenko (track and field athletics)
He was waiting for his return, and fans of Ukrainian athletics were counting on high results. Bogdan Bondarenko returned to high altitude after almost two years of treatment and returned to great sports. And, as they say, "came from the leg", because immediately at the two stages of the "Diamond League" in Rome and Rabat was the first. The fact that the bronze medalist of the 2016 Olympics will compete in European games has become known after the announcement of the athletes. Bondarenko replaced Dmitry Demyanyuk, who was injured.

 "If I knew I would compete in European games, then of course I would not go to Rabat. Because there will start very close. But he learned about his participation in Minsk later than he had already agreed to participate in the Diamond League. I know that the Belarusian athlete Maxim Nedosekov did not go to Rabat precisely because he was preparing for Igor. And that's right, I would do the same. I think Nedosekov will be one of my main competitors. It is very important for him to win on the home scene ", - says Bogdan Bondarenko in the comments of Radio Svoboda.
Track and field athletics in Minsk is presented in a new format: if before in each discipline there were prize-winners, now for each performance the athlete gets points which are added to the basket of the national team. The number of attempts at athletes is also decreasing, but Bondarenko, on the contrary, rejoices in it.

"Three attempts at all - it's perfect. More I can not now jump because it starts to stab a stroke. Therefore, I think that these competitions are just for me ", - laughs Bondarenko.

 Stanislav Gorun (karate)

 He is called the "Ukrainian Cossack" on a tatami and believes that he is one of those who will be able to win a golden reward for the "blue-yellow". The winner of the World Games in 2017, Stanislav Gorun will now conquer and European games. In Baku in 2015, he did not leave because of an injury, but his brother Yaroslav competed there. This time Stanislav will speak, as they say, for themselves and for their brother.

 "Now we are preparing for the Black Sea championship. And it is very important that they left their native cities, because there is a possibility to fully concentrate on sports, to separate from everyday life. We have two workouts a day, and here is such a rhythm that, frankly, has already "waved", - laughs Gorun. - After this, there will be several days of rest, and we will go to Minsk, tear everyone and fight so that the Tatami would burn. "

In the medallion "basket" the athlete already has the "gold" of the World Games, and he hopes to add another award of the highest quality from Minsk.

Anastasia Voznyak (Rhytmic gymnastics)

Blue and yellow representatives of rhythmic gymnastics always return from competitions with awards. In Baku-2015 in group performances girls got "silver" and "bronze". Since then, the team has almost completely renewed, since the team of 2015 remained only Anastasia Wozniak, but this group of "groups" is really competitive.
 "These Games will compete among the top eight European countries. Each of them is a strong contender for us. But the main thing - to overcome yourself, tune in correctly psychologically and do everything to make a good speech. Of course, there is excitement, because we want everything to succeed. But the mood is fighting, "says Anastasia Wozniak.

It is this group of "groups" who are constantly praising sports experts for heavy technical programs, but, according to Anastasia, they will impress not only clearly worked out elements.


 
Anna Nightingale (cycling)
  
 "I did everything. There is no time for training, so now it is not necessary to show the result. The chances for rewards are always. And how big they are, look after the shot of the finishing pistol ", - says Anna Nightingale.

Preparation for European games, like in all other types, was saturated with cycling. The same sportsman admits: preparing with a smile and the desire to be stronger, more agile, more cunning.

 
Nikolay Prostorov (jumping on a trampoline)


 "There is no base for jumper trampolines in Ukraine. Even in Koncha-Zaspa. Where we were practicing was very hot, almost 30 degrees. Also, they did not have proper pharmacology to maintain a high level of the body and withstand heavy loads. There were some nutrition problems. But all these disagreements did not prevent us from working hard. We tried to perform all the tasks, worked at maximum, "says Nikolay Prosstorov.
In synchronous jumps will be eight pairs. In just one attempt to impress judges and win the desired rewards. However, there are chances in the Ukrainian national team in this sport.

"We have a very strong male and female pair in synchronous jumps. And it has already been shown by the World Games in 2017. In synchronous jumps, the complexity of the combination is not so heavy. The synchronization of the elements is very important here. In individual jumps it is much harder to win a medal, because there are very powerful athletes, and in the first place evaluate the complexity of jumps. However, we must also understand that everything in our sport can affect everything! Trampoline jumping is a coordinating sport, that is, a banal bad dream may already affect your mood, strength, and feeling of your own body. But we are preparing and will fight ", - says Nikolay Prosterov.

 
Vlada Nikolchenko (gymnastics) 

 In Minsk to resist Ukrainian grace will be the 11 best gymnasts in Europe. However, Nikolchenko's level allows her to compete with even more experienced athletes in the finals. As experts say, in the all-round "blue-yellow" artist will still be harder. But this does not stop Nikolchenko from creating and finding something new.

"Especially for the European games were preparing a new setting. They worked it out to these startups. We will be surprised, but so far this is our secret, "says Vlad Nikolchenko.



Veronica Marchenko (archery)

 The main thing is that the sun does not shine in his eyes, said the athlete. In addition, Marchenko noted that the training of the national team of Ukraine has already taken place in the final shooting range, and the only thing that is confusing is the heat, because the artificial covering "stains" the legs.
But the Ukrainian team met in Minsk well, tells Veronica. All conditions for a comfortable life ... almost everyone.
"We are very hot in the rooms. In the rest - everything is fine. They met very well, quickly registered and delivered. Cook normally with enough choice. The dining room is open 24 hours a day, that is, everyone can have their own schedule. And very very friendly staff. And this is important, because I want to see and feel positive emotions, "says Veronica.
Today there will be the first competitions of Ukrainian athletes in basketball and archery.