I get an awful lot of letters asking me to take a look at somebody’s little girl and assess her abilities. These come from parents, grandmothers and grandfathers. I truly understand their concern, but my School of Beauty and Grace has not yet opened – it’s still in the planning stages. Of course, I look at the little girls when I have the opportunity, but I’m quite unsystematic about it. It’s usually when I’m travelling around the regions on State Duma business or in connection with my charity. Once the school is open I hope I’ll be able to do it more regularly.

As for the requests to help people meet Irina Alexandrovna Viner, I think it would be best to apply directly to the Rhythmic Gymnastic Federation, because my relationship with Irina Viner nowadays is merely one of personal friendship.