Referee: Over five years we have grown very strongly
By Nazrin Gadimova
30th Europe Championships on rhythmic gymnastics, which brings together about 250 gymnasts from 33 countries of Europe, is underway in Baku.
Since the beginning of the year, our newspaper made several interviews with those closely engaged in this event.
So far, President of the European Union of Gymnastics (UEG) Georges Guelzec, Secretary General of Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation Farid Gayibov, Head Coach of the Azerbaijani national team Mariana Vasileva and two gymnasts, Marina Durunda and Gulsum Shafizade shared with us their impressions about the upcoming event and the development of gymnastics in the country.
One the eve of the championships AzerNews interviewed Referee, Yevgeniya Jidkova, who will represent our country in the jury together with Natalia Bulanova.
Yevgeniya said it is early to make predictions about the upcoming event. She added that the country is making achievements in gymnastics and the overall conditions of this field are improving.
"No one can predict future but the works done so far speak for themselves. Everyone is putting much effort every day, so I think our team will show the same things they show every day," she added.
"In fact, there are a lot of strong rivals and leading countries such as Bulgaria, Russia but the conditions have changed recently," Jidkova said, touching upon the most powerful opponents of the Azerbaijan national team at the upcoming championship. "However, we must always care about our rivals and don't ignore others' abilities."
"We should not underestimate our rivals, but I think that over the past five years we have grown very much and I think we had a lot of time to grow," the referee added.
She listed justice, equity and reality look as the main criteria of a qualified referee. Adding that she participated as a referee at many World Cups and international tournaments, Yevgeniya said it is quite a usual thing for her.
Speaking about feelings while evaluating Azerbaijani team, she said there is no difference when the coach is behind the scene and watching gymnasts performing.
"However, a coach can shout and speak to athletes but a referee cannot, because he or she is banned to say anything. So, sometimes you may be trembling by excitements but in any case you have to judge the athletes realistically."
"My enduring memory dates back to the 2009 European Championship in Baku, because I performed for Azerbaijan's national team. So I know well how stressful it is to stand on the podium. I am familiar with these feelings," Yevgeniya said, touching upon the most shining moment of her career so far.
"And now, when the girls perform, I am really worried about them, because I understand their feelings. When you play at home, it is really a big responsibility and very difficult job," she added.
Jidkova said, the National Arena is a grand construction, adding that everyone was shocked when watching it from inside for the first time.
"We had a small gym before, and there were only three carpets and there wasn't any special room for athletes. We entered the Arena and saw such an splendid perspective! I think no country in the world has such a nice place for gymnasts," she added.
Yevgeniya said, holding such an event in our city is a good sign of Baku's capacities adding that the city is becoming recognizable across the globe.
"Baku is flourishing and getting prettier every year. Many countries are watching us and some of them even try to follow our footsteps. So, I think that this championship once again will prove the fact that Baku is actually a very beautiful city with a promising future."