SVETLANA, THE SWAN!

Reminiscing with one of our favorite gymnastics legends... Svetlana Boguinskaia: The Belarussian Swan! Can you believe it’s been 18 years since she won her World All-Around Title?


DM: What was is like returning to Stuttgart, Germany to the Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle arena you won your World Championship 18 years? Where you nervous, excited?

SB: I was both very nervous and very excited at the same time, but when I got there I felt perfect and calm. The arena looked exactly the same as it was 18 years ago.

DM: You made a “last minute” decision to attend the emotional voyage back to Stuttgart. What urged you to attend this year’s World Championship’s?

SB: Gymnastics was and still is such a big part of my life and I thought to myself, “Why not go to watch the World’s especially in a place where I became World Champion!”

DM: Did the Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle arena appear the same as in your memories from 1989?

SB: Exactly the same. I thought it might look smaller, but it was not.

DM: What were your impressions of the 2007 World Championships? Describe your feelings as you witnessed the bronze medal slip away from Russia due to a silly error?

SB: Watching it live was absolutely amazing!!!!! I loved it! The German crowd was very supportive to gymnasts from all countries and I liked that a lot. I was thinking that I was once one of the young gymnasts competing for a medal and probably many of the same spectators came to see me 18 years ago.

I felt bad for the Russian team. They did not have any luck at this event, but we all learn from our mistakes and I think that they will be a much better team next year at the Olympics.

DM: What are your lasting impressions of the 2007 World Championships? What impressed you the most? Least?

I was most impressed with level of difficulty in both male and female gymnastics. I was least impressed with fact that even with a fall you can still get a medal. In my time you have to be perfect or near perfect to get a medal but not today. I am not sure if I like that.

DM: Did you run into any familiar faces at the World Championships? Any friends you really wanted to see that you haven't seen in a long time? If so, how was the reunion?

SB: Yes, I did. Many coaches who coached other gymnasts on my USSR Team were there. I ran into Coach Elena Shushonova, who I have not seen in about 17 years! My former teammate from the 1988 Olympic team, Elena Shevchenko, came to judge with the Russian Team. I was very excited to meet Elena Davidova from the 1980 Olympic Games. She won the All-Around and many other titles.

DM: Did you run in our former-coach Marta Karolyi? If so, how was that encounter?

SB: I came to congratulate her on the success of the U.S. Women’s Team and she said, “Thanks,” and that was it. She is a busy woman and everyone wanted to talk to her.

DM: Finally, your visit to Stuttgart was an emotional homecoming and time of reflection, please tell us about your 1989 All-Around World Championship dedication to your coach, Lubov Miromanova, who had passed away in 1988.

What did it mean for you to dedicate your "win" to your coach that passed away? There is much mystery surrounding her death, can you give us a glimpse into that personal time in your life. What your emotions when you found out. How did you cope with it?

SB: My coach’s name was Lubov Miromanova. She passed away right after the 1988 Olympics Games. She committed suicide. I don’t want to go into details, but it was very hard for me to go through all of the emotions at age 15 and 16 years old. When I won the 1989 World All-Around title, I felt that I did it for her and because of her I won. She was an excellent coach and a mentor and I was very proud to have my World title a year after her death. I felt that she was very proud of me too.

FUN FACT: Coincidentally, current U.S. World Champion, Shawn Johnson, won the same 3 gold medals (Team, All-Around and Floor) as Boguinskaia.

Svetlana is currently the loving mother of Ania and Brandon Ye and manages her own business and Summer Camps.
You can find more information at www.ogccamp.com


DM: Thanks Sveta! You will always be among our favorites!


Svetlana has been kind enough to share her personal photo album from Stuttgart with DM.com!

(Svetlana with: Leonid Archaev,Oksana Chusovitina, Daria Joura, Eberhard Geinger, Jackie Fie, Elena Davidova, Yuri Korolev, and Oleg Ostapenko)

THANK YOU FOR YOUR E-MAILS :-)

I WANTED TO SAY (ONCE AGAIN), THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR KIND EMAILS. THIS IS DEFINITELY AN EXCITING TIME FOR MIKE AND I. HERE ARE A FEW SPECIAL EMAILS THAT TOUCHED ME.

---DOMINIQUE


From Kevin:
"Dominique, How does one express how much excitement I have and had when I watched the US win in '96. I still to this day am overwhelmed by your grace and your presence. You seem to be one of the sweetest and most genuine around. I wish daily that I had a chance to promote my country of this great United States as you did, in the Olympics. I wanted to say thank you, for incredible memories. Especially from a girl who seems so down to earth and passionate about all that is good in this world. You are, I feel, the best all around gymnast the US has ever seen. Even at such a young age you showed such confidence and poise. Words can not express how impressive that is, especially on the greatest stage there is in the world, The Olympic Games. Gosh I hope you go back to competition at that level. Congrats on your baby to come! I can't believe little Dom from '96 is a momma to be! Keep that awesome down to earth attitude, it's so cool to see. I hope this finds you and helps to show you that you touched so many people with just being yourself. Thanks!"

From Julie:
Dominique~I just wanted to say that even though this is old news (I've been BUSY!), I am so sorry that you were forced by USA Gymnastics to stop competing. Your love for gymnastics is a "perfect 10", and they were so wrong not to let you compete!!!!! Also I wanted to say congrats on you pregnancy!!! I am so excited for you! I have two children of my own(both girls), and my life would not be complete without them! I know that you are going to make a wonderful mother!!!! Take care and get lots of sleep now before the baby comes!!!! ~Julie"

2007 WORLDS

The 2007 World Championships have come and gone and what an exciting competition it was! The U.S. women displayed perserverance until the very end of the competition, bringing home two more gold medals, two silvers and a bronze in the event finals.

WAY TO GO NASTIA, ALICIA, AND SHAWN!

GO PEANUT!

Congratulations, Shawn "Peanut" Johnson! What a strong showing at this young lady's first World Championship. Her world title truly represents how a healthy coach/athlete relationship can yield tremendous results! I'm so proud of her! What an accomplishment! GO PEANUT!

GO TEAM USA!

MANY CONGRATULATIONS TO THE GYMNASTS AND THEIR INDIVIDUAL COACHES FOR THEIR DEDICATION AND HARD WORK ON THIS ACHIEVEMENT. THIS IS THE FIRST U.S. WOMEN'S TEAM TO WIN THE TEAM WORLD TITLE ON NON-U.S. SOIL! THE FIRST U.S. WORLD TEAM TITLE WAS EARNED IN ANAHEIM IN 2003.