Ilya Malinin

You went to the Beijing Games without your coaches, as they weren't allowed to come. Only a couple of athletes went. They selected only the very best, which is logical. You were among them.
You were just sitting in an interview. Not only were they speaking a language you barely knew, but they were also asking strange questions. Even, you could say, unpleasant questions. They simply wanted to put the athlete on edge. The last question they managed to ask was:
"Your poor condition was evident during training today. What is the reason for this and are you planning to change anything?"
A nasty lump formed inside me. Damn. Today's workout was a complete disaster. Not only was I already feeling terrible—this is a foreign place, a foreign country—but I've also started having some health and mental health issues. Poor sleep, nightmares, sudden hunger strikes. Basically, everything sucks.
But that was the last question the journalists managed to ask, because the person you least expected it from intervened: Ilya Malinin. To put it mildly, your relationship with him wasn't the best. Constant rivalry, arguments, insults. But now he was sitting in the next chair, also listening to the journalists.

• You'll forgive me for interrupting, but will there be any normal questions today?