We present to you our interview with Valeriya Rotabilskaya, a member of Latvia’s women’s artistic gymnastics national team.

Have you competed in Baku before?
– I’ve taken part twice in World Cup competitions held in Baku.

What can you tell us about the development of artistic gymnastics in Latvia?
– Unfortunately, there isn’t much competition in Latvia, so in order to gain more experience, you need to attend training camps in countries with better facilities.

What did participating in this training camp bring you?
– I’ve been here for a few days now. Unfortunately, I have some health issues. I’m unable to train at full strength or perform certain elements. So for now, I consider this more of an exchange experience, but being able to train here is a huge advantage for me. I’m confident that when I return home, I won’t lose my physical shape.

What can you say about Azerbaijan’s women artistic gymnasts?
– One of my closest friends is here – I met Nazanin Teymurova last year in Baku. We had dreamed of training together on our favorite gymnastics apparatus, the beam. So that dream has come true. The girls here are stronger, and the coach is great. Watching them inspires you to set goals and strive to be like them.

What impressed you the most here?
– When I came to Baku for the first time, I really liked the city. We went on sightseeing tours. This time, they took me to the sea, and I got to walk around the city center – everything is so beautiful. People here are very kind and friendly.

What motivated you the most during the training camp in Azerbaijan?
– My impressions of the training sessions here are very positive. That’s why I’m not too upset that I can’t train at full capacity. I’ve been injured for a year and couldn’t do anything – I spent a month just sitting and crying. But now, I believe I will recover, return to competitions, and keep going. I know I can achieve more.

Lastly, what are your thoughts about the National Gymnastics Arena?
– I was simply stunned when I saw it. It’s beautiful, bright, well-maintained, and spacious. This place holds a special meaning for me – I’ve never trained in such wonderful conditions before. Once I’m fully recovered and able to train at full strength, I definitely want to come back here again.