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)