Russia (bbabo.net), - But all this is only together. The Ilyins really did not succeed in continuing the story in ice dancing. But she found her happiness with the famous ballet dancer Sergei Polunin, became a mother, is expecting a second child and participates in creative projects with her life partner. As for Nikita, he and Victoria Sinitsina had to start all over again. They have come a long way in two Olympic cycles, withstood criticism, coped with failures, disruptions of insidious twizzles at the box office, and injuries. With coach Alexander Zhulin, we went to the goal and achieved our goal. So their silver medal is worth a lot.

After the team tournament, where the Russians won the "gold", it was exciting: our leaders in ice dancing made unfortunate mistakes and lost twice to the American duets. But in the individual tournament, Sinitsina and Katsalapov did not flinch and showed their maximum, confidently outperforming the Americans and losing only to the tournament favorites from France.

Sinitsina and Katsalapov showed the second result in both rhythmic and free dance, gaining a total of 220.51 points for two performances. Americans Madison Hubbell - Zachary Donoghue, who rounded out the top three, received 218.02 points. The French Gabriella Papadakis - Guillaume Sizeron were able not only to maintain their advantage after the first day of the competition (the Russians were 1.98 points behind), but also increased the lead. Their final score is 226.98 points. As in rhythm dance, this is a new world record. The previous one belonged to them and held on for quite some time - from the Japanese Grand Prix in 2019. The four-time world champions and five-time European champions who took silver at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games won the missing title - Olympic champions.

But Sinitsina - Katsalapov - the current world champions. Although they won that victory in the absence of the French duo. We hope that at the end of March we will have another meeting of two magnificent couples at the 2022 World Cup in the French city of Montpellier.

Vika, Nikita, how would your "silver"?

Nikita Katsalapov: We came to Beijing to fight for the highest award and from the first day we gave ourselves to the last. Completely without fear, they rode to the absolute maximum. I was pleasantly shocked by how awesome we did the free dance. Everything worked out for this rental. I still can't believe this is not a dream. I have experienced and continue to experience incredible and very contradictory sensations. During the performance, I was very hungry, angry, collected and calm at the same time. Now there is great joy and happiness in my soul, and at the same time, there is complete devastation and fatigue inside. Still, it was a very difficult day.

The last time our dancers won the Olympics was in 2006, but the Beijing "silver" is worth a lot

Victoria Sinitsina: All an athlete goes for all his life is to come to the Olympics and take a medal. I am very proud of myself and Nikita. We made it. Perhaps we have nothing to complain about. We did everything we worked on, plus we put all our soul and emotions into it.

Say how about the rental of life?

Nikita Katsalapov: I can only say that this is the best performance of the season and we got the appropriate ratings.

Victoria Sinitsina: We are very pleased with ourselves. Already after the rental, I agree with Nikita, the emotions were very different: I wanted to scream, and rejoice, and cry at the same time.

Did you see the performance of the French?

Victoria Sinitsina: Of course, they were watching as soon as they entered the waiting room. As an athlete, I was very worried. The guys skated very well, heartfelt. I can only sincerely congratulate them.

Nikita Katsalapov: Our rivals, but one of my favorite couples. They performed great. They deserved the gold medal.

Papadakis - Sizeron won on the second try. Is this the last Olympics for you?

Nikita Katsalapov: Let's see, four more years before Milan.

Two other Russian duets - Alexandra Stepanova and Ivan Bukin, Diana Davis and Gleb Smolkin - took 6th and 14th places (205.07 and 179.82 points respectively). For both couples, these were the debut Games in their careers.

Direct speech

Gabriella Papadakis - Guillaume Sizeron, Olympic champions in ice dancing:

- Four years ago we experienced a huge disappointment. This time we wanted our performance at the Olympics to bring only joy and satisfaction. And, of course, achieving the main goal. Thoughts about this charged us on the way to "gold". Nothing we wanted so much as this victory. Never so much, stubbornly and selflessly trained. We have many titles, but none of them means as much as the title of Olympic champions.

Alexandra Stepanova - Ivan Bukin, winners of European championships:- In general, we are satisfied with the performance. Of course, they were upset because of a small blot. This is not a super gross error, but I would like it not to be. There is more responsibility in the free program. Our program is gentle, light, not tear-resistant. Therefore, now, on the one hand, there is devastation, on the other, the joy of the experience gained.

Diana Davis - Gleb Smolkin:

- We are satisfied with both programs. They showed what they were ready for at the moment. We know where to add. And now we have an understanding of what to prepare for the World Cup, which will take place in a month. There are many plans and ambitions, but we do not think too far. It is too early to think about the 2026 Olympics in Milan.

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