On MatchTV, Aliya Mustafina answered questions submitted by her fans.

Q: Which qualities does an Olympic champion need?

A: First of all, being a hardworking person.

Q: How many victories have you achieved?

A: The most important ones – three. Two Olympics and my daughter.

Q: Have you ever lost hope in your career?

A: There were moments when I wanted to give up. I thought that I wouldn’t be able to achieve anything when I was recovering after an injury. But I was able to overcome it, thanks to my loved ones.

Q: Which language would you like to learn?

A: Right now I don’t have the time or a strong desire, but I’d like to learn English.

Q: What professions do you like?

A: Designer. And anything related to art.

Q: Would you like to become a commentator?

A: No, I don’t really like this job.

Q: Would you like to live on an uninhabited island?

A: I’d like to try, yes.

Q: What do you dislike the most in people?

A: Hypocrisy.

Q: Where would you prefer to live – in a house out in the country or in the center of a big city?

A: In the center of a big city. Although to have a house out in the country is nice as well.

Q: Would you like to go to the space?

A: Yes! And I’d like to see how the lack of gravity feels.

Q: Short hair or long?

A: Long hair! Although sometimes I wish for a shorter haircut.

Q: Dress or jeans?

A: Jeans!

Q: What foreign languages do you speak? Your favorite country?

A: I only speak Russian. I know English a little bit but I get shy about speaking it. Favorite country? Russia, first of all. And, to mention something else, I liked Switzerland and Italy.

Q: Do you drive a car?

A: Yes, I’ve been driving for four years already.

Q: Are you friends with the gymnasts from other teams?

A: We competed with the Americans now, we alternated [in the team final] at the World Championships. When I did my routine, I heard the girls from the American team starting to cheer for me. Our fight only starts on the competition floor.

Q: What would you be doing if you weren’t an athlete?

A: I’m doing the sport for my pleasure. If I weren’t an athlete, I guess, I would cook a lot.

Q: Do you have a favorite flower?

A: No, Well, I like lilac. And my favorite color is purple.

Q: What was the most horrible event in your career?

A: I guess, the injury that I got in 2011. I was in a very good shape but that injury derailed me, I had to miss 8 months [of competitions] because of it.

Q: Would you like to be in a movie?

A: Yes, I’d really love to try.

Q: Have you received a lot of criticism during your career?

A: There was a lot of criticism! I got a lot of negativity. But, thanks to it, I learned not to pay attention to it and just do my job.

Q: Do you have a favorite animal?

A: I really like cats and dogs. I’d like to get a dog in the future.

Q: What do you think about Biles taking medication?

A: A gymnast goes out on the competition floor and does their routines. I don’t care about anything that’s beyond the competition floor. It’s upsetting a bit, of course, if the medication is helping her to do these difficult elements…

Q: Why bars?

A: I guess, because it’s my best event. I had a good difficulty on it.

Q: What kind of music do you like?

A: All sorts, I’m a music geek.

Q: Would you like to become a coach?

A: I guess I’d rather not. No one knows what will happen. But for now, no, I don’t want to spend my life in the gym.

Q: Do you pay attention to the news about doping?

A: I try not to pay attention to the news like that. But it’s sad that there’s such an attitude towards our country.

Q: Were you scared when you got invited to the Olympics.

A: You don’t get “invited” to the Olympics. Regarding fear… There was anxiety.

Q: When did you start doing gymnastics?

A: I started gymnastics when I was 6 years old.

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