A beautiful and successful lady, a famous rhythmic gymnast, a State Duma member, the hostess of the popular Steps to Success show on REN TV, the Youth Year proponent, the initiator of a Common State Exam support hotline... All these are one person, Alina Kabaeva. Izvestia’s Yelena Loria interviewed Alina to ask her what she does now, what new projects she is thinking of, what responsibilities she has as an MP, and whether she has any time left for herself.

“We don’t know the true meanings of words”

 — You have recently launched a Russian language column in Izvestia. How was this idea born?

I was very pleased to see an interview with Prof. Igor Miloslavsky in your paper. It made me understand the importance of how we express our thoughts. We often start using new words but sometimes we don't understand their true meaning. We don't even give a moment's thought about words that we've used for years. Take the word “crisis” , for instance. I'm often asked these days what I think about the crisis. What crisis? There can be so many crises — personal, economic, genre crisis... And after Miloslavsky's interview I thought this topic should be developed. Because our society needs it, and we young people in particular. I'd like to encourage people to speak correctly, to appreciate and preserve the language they speak. So I'm sure that this is a good cause, to protect and develop our culture, our speech culture.

 — Has the Common State Exam Hotline proved its worth?

Yes, it has. The line worked from May 15 till June 5 last year. It handled more than eight thousand calls from all over Russia, that's 200 to 600 calls per day. And our help proved to be wanted and timely. Just two examples. A girl called to ask: “Is Russo-Turkish War spelled with a hyphen?” Yes, answers the advisor, with a hyphen. And she says: “If I spell it correctly, I don't have enough cells, and if I omit the hyphen, it will be a spelling mistake.” Another situation. We had a call from a school who said they didn't agree with grades given in chemistry. We contacted the Federal Education Supervision Service, they found errors and corrected them. In the end, that school sent me a letter of thanks. So we not only help students, but we also help the Education Supervision Service to clear the tests from some technical inaccuracies. I'm glad that Lyubov Glebova, the head of the Service, understands the significance of our project and is willing to cooperate again this summer. We are going to relaunch the hotline on April 7. So any questions concerning the disciplines and the procedure of the Common State Exam will be answered on the phone number 8-800-505-12-05.

 — Is the hotline working now?

Yes, but now there's an employment lawyer and a psychologist available on it.

 — The hotline is one of the projects of your charity foundation. What else does it do? 

My charity foundation has several activity areas. For instance, we recently started a Rural Libraries Project to renew book collections in village libraries. We began with the Republic of Tatarstan and have already enlarged several libraries in the Nizhnekamsk District.

 — Why Nizhnekamsk?

Because I was elected to the State Duma to represent Tatarstan and Nizhnekamsk is my constituency, so that's where I decided to begin. We also have a project in Tskhinvali, but so far I'd prefer not to discuss it.

“Who else if not me?”

 — Why did you choose to become a politician? How conscious was your decision? After all, you are so young and you have no experience in politics. What exactly do you do in the Duma?

Of course, my choice was conscious! Who else if not me? I'm pleased with the results of my work in the Duma. I help people solve many issues. For instance, I was asked about a helicopter landing site in a neighbourhood near Moscow, whether it was legal. The problem was that the site was too close to residential houses, a school, and a nursery and posed a real threat to people's lives. I made several parliamentary inquiries asking to solve the problem. And we have the result; the landing site is closed because its location was illegal. Let me mention another example. I had a request from a lad in Nizhnekamsk. He had been jailed for several years and then he was acquitted, he proved to be innocent. But he was refused compensation and his lawsuits were dismissed. After my parliamentary inquiry, he was explained who should be the respondent and how to prepare papers properly. As the result, has was paid moral and material damages. I'd like to use this opportunity to thank all those people who help me solve my constituents problems. And I want to tell all people: you all have your MPs. If there's anything unlawful happening and you need help, remember that you can always consult your MP. Exercise your right! You have elected us to solve your problems.

 — Have you had any triumphs for the year you've been in the Duma? Anything you're proud of? 

Every time I manage to help a certain person, it's a triumph for me. I received about 200 requests last year. Another triumph is that 2009 was announced the Youth Year. And even though the implementation of its events is not up to me, I'll do my best to implement my own youth projects anyway. I'm very interested in projects that aim to educate young journalists and ensure access to the Internet and other information technologies for disabled young people.

 — You also head the Public Board of the National Media Group. What does it do? 

Our Public Board is only of its kind; no private company in any country has such a body. This is why it's so interesting to me. We all must remember that media business is not oil or scrap steel trade. Mass media shape our society and educate it. And the Public Board is intended to keep the balance between business and society. One of its key purposes now is to contribute to development of NMG's strategy and portfolio. This is why we, its members, are auditing the Group's assets. In our meeting in February, we discussed Channel 5 and its development prospects.

“No sensationalism here!”

 — What do you think about today's media? Many people are inclined to think there should be no crime or violence on TV screens. But the paradox is, these are what people most enjoy watching. How can this be changed?

That's the point; if many people really wanted to have a less sensationalist television, it would become so. But unfortunately, it's not the case. But I'll repeat that it's media that shape the society; the society watches what media offer to it. Still, I also know that people want some other content as well. And I have some positive experience. When I was creating my Steps to Success show, I was told it would have a low rating without “hot topics” . But I said no, there will be no sensationalism in my show! And what do you think? People do watch my series and they like it as is it. I'm sure we must not follow the demand; we must shape it.

 — How did you come up with the idea of the show?

I know from my own experience how success is achieved, what a lot of work it takes. And when I watched celebrity-focused programmes on TV, I felt sorry for the stars. My God, I thought, is this the only way they can be shown? This is when I had the idea of my series. And I'm very happy to have the opportunity to create a “different” celebrity show.

 — How is the programme prepared? Are you personally involved in every detail?

I control the whole process, because I'm the author. I study the lives of the stars concerned, I read their interviews, biographies, watch films. I need all this to understand them better. The main criteria is that my guest must be interesting to me. Only in this case I can make an episode after which the guest calls me and says: this is the best thing I've ever seen about myself.

 — Don't they demand previewing the film before it's aired?

No, nobody ever has. They trust me.

 — You do so many things now — the Duma work, the Public Board, the TV show, the charity foundation... Have you ever thought about having to choose, to quit some of that one day? What do you have more taste for?

It's a really good question. One thing I can say, what I do now is all about civil society. If I abandon any of my activities, my life will be incomplete. At least, that's how I feel today. But I can tell you for sure, I like everything I do.

“A woman must always be herself”

 — You're looking great. But I can't believe you find time for exercise.

To be honest, when I left the sport, I didn't do any exercise at all for a year. I couldn't even make myself think about any sport, because I was so tired both physically and morally that I thought: Jesus, no more sports! And now I do fitness with great pleasure! Almost every day. I've even become sort of addicted to it. When I miss one day I begin to worry. I understand people who have no time for sports at all, but I try to find at least about forty minutes a day for exercise. Because my body needs it.

 — Any time left for reading?

I sometimes think there's much more than 24 hours in a day. This can be the only explanation why I find time for reading. It's a great pleasure for me. By the way, I read much more today than I ever did before. Perhaps, reading has its season, too.

 — What have you been reading lately?

I recently finished The Dream Room by Remarque. Now I'm reading The Thorn Birds.

 — What are your music preferences?

I have always been most fond of classic music, because it accompanied all my workouts, which means most of my life. I recently visited a Russian city; I saw a CD in my hotel room. It was: romances accompanied by Tchaikovsky music. I played it and enjoyed it for two days on end. Super!

 — Do you go to the movies?

I haven't been to cinema for ages. I mostly watch films at home. Not long ago, I was getting prepared to an episode featuring Alexei Uchitel and I re-watched The Stroll and Dreaming of Space. Outstanding movies!

 — What should a modern woman be like?

A woman should remember that she is, above all, a woman. She must always be herself. Be tantalising to a certain extent. But if she plays, she should play in tune with herself. Upbringing is also important for a woman. I'm happy to have Oriental origins, to have been born in Tashkent and brought up in that culture... Respectful attitude to a man is in my blood.

 — Do you miss Tashkent?

Of course I do. I went there recently, just before the New Year. The city is growing and becoming even more beautiful. People are totally different there. I understand why Galina Vishnevskaya (we have talked the other day) hates closed doors and locks. Because we always kept the doors open at home, and neighbours or any other people could come in any time. This is never like that in Moscow, and I miss this feeling.

“Progress is life”

 — At the end of each episode, you usually ask your guest: what's your success formula? And what is Alina Kabaeva's success formula?

Hard work, commitment, confidence in oneself and one's team, ambition to be the first.

 — You answer like a true athlete!

Yes, I am a true athlete. And I'm grateful to sports for developing these qualities in me.

 — Do you follow RG events?

Sure! I recently visited the Rhythmic Gymnastics Grand Prix and it was a great pleasure to watch it.

 — Didn't you want to be there, competing?

That used to happen before. I always longed to be on the platform when I went to see competitions. Now not anymore. I just enjoy watching and I realise that I have other goals and tasks. I'm glad that I'm developing, that I make headway! On the eve of the International Women's Day I'd like to wish all women what they need most — health, love, and someone to rely on!

Yelena Loria

March 6, 2009

Izvestia