In early June I was at the European Gymnastics Championship in Turin. I really enjoyed the performances by the Russian gymnasts, as well as those from other countries. The standard of gymnastics in Europe has really improved, and it’s now much more interesting to watch than it was a few years ago. There’s much more flamboyance in it, which wasn‘t the case in the past. I think the gymnastics world has Russia to thank for raising the standard through its gymnasts.

And of course I was moved by the fact that the spectators gave me an ovation when I entered the hall. That was so nice! I’m really pleased I managed to go to the championship and support our team. And I really like Italy. The Italians are emotional and open like us. I visited Milan, Venice and Turin, though I only had 5 or 6 hours in Venice and only managed to take a ride in a gondola and look at San Marco square. Five hours is nothing at all for a city like Venice, of course.



Unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to see much of Turin either, because time was short.



I hope I’ll have another opportunity to visit again in the future for some event or just to go and look around the country, visit different places and relax. I’d love to visit Rome.