“I’m surprised how warmly I’ve been received.” Efimova told why she returned to sports.

The brilliant Yulia Efimova is back! And how!

After a two-year break, few expected to see our famous swimmer at the Russian Championships, but she came and performed. First in the Southern Federal District championship and then in the national short course championship. In the 100 meter breaststroke final she tied with Evgenia Chikunova. I lost to her, but I put on a show!

After the swimming final, Efimova told the Championships why she returned to the sport, how she felt at the regional tournament and what she thought about the fact that she was considered the sexiest athlete in Russia.

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“My life was boring. “I decided to look for an adventure.”

– Julia, did you expect your return to be so triumphant? Did you miss the competitions? Why did you decide to return? – Honestly, I am surprised by the media, the affection with which they greet me. Of course, very nice.

– Did you return because you lacked sports passion? – Yes, my life was very boring. I decided to look for some adventure (laughs). I wanted to come back to finish it beautifully.

Yulia Efimova

Photo: RIA Novosti

– You have not participated in the Southern Federal District Championship since you were 14 years old. How difficult was it to start qualifying for the Russian Championship from the bottom? – They almost destroyed me there! It was difficult. The children, apparently, had no idea that one of the star athletes would come to them. He was warming up in another pool. After the first day, the organizers decided to give me a separate locker room with an entrance. When I came out, everyone was fenced off. The last day we had an autograph session: I signed and took photos with everyone. What was also difficult was that I didn’t get results in the first few swims. I felt sorry for the children who were sailing with their aunt (laughs). But they didn’t care.

– Was there such a thing at this championship that other athletes came up to ask for autographs? – Does such a thing exist. Every time I go in and try to explain to people that all this will happen after the competition. If I do this before the heats, I won’t have time to get to the starting line.

“It’s like the first time. But it all seems painfully familiar to me.”

– Is the two-year pause making itself felt? – Certainly. So far I only have positive emotions. I returned with new strength and impressions. Everything is like the first time. At the same time, it all feels painfully familiar. I swam today and apparently it’s not bad for my condition. But it’s so strange that I can’t swim any faster. I can usually control my speed, let’s say I swam without a stopwatch. My dad and I have this trick. He constantly says: “Tell me, how long did you swim?” Now I don’t feel it at all. Sometimes it seems good, but it is not. All this remains unstable.

– The last time you competed in Russia, Chikunova was gaining momentum and was not a very serious rival for you. Now Evgenia is one of the best swimmers in Russia. Has competing become more interesting? – Of course, it became more interesting. When I left, she was already starting to tear up.

– There are only six months until the Olympic Games. Are you waiting for a decision on admission or have you let the situation pass? – I live by the principle: no matter what happens.

“My main dream is an Olympic gold medal”

– What are your plans for the next competitions? – Follow my social networks (laughs).

– What are your dreams in your career and in your life? – My main dream in my career is an Olympic gold medal.

– Do you think this can still happen? “I think you have to really want it and work hard.”

Yulia Efimova

Photo: RIA Novosti

– They often talk about you as the sexiest athlete in Russia. Is this attention nice or do you still want people to focus more on your achievements and the kind of person you are? – Of course, I want people to focus on the soul. The soul is our everything. In general, I don’t really like that we focus so much on appearance. This is probably the case only here in Russia. In America, they only look at the fact that you’re an athlete. We don’t have beauty pageants. Of course, I enjoy being called sexy. I just feel sorry for the others (laughs). But seriously, each one looks different, but each one has a different soul and life. I wouldn’t want people to pay attention to appearance in sports. My job is to compete, to swim fast. Therefore, those who want to discuss who is and what, leave here.