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1987 Interviews & Profiles USSR WAG

1987: An Interview with Elvira Saadi – “Without Them, the World Would Seem Dim to Me”

In 1987, journalists visited Moscow’s Dynamo training center and found a scene that perfectly reflected the energy of its coach: Elvira Saadi. Once a beloved gymnast whose elegance and charisma lit up the competition floor, Saadi had poured that same vitality into coaching. The hall bustled like an anthill, yet under her watchful eye, it ran with order and purpose. She darted from one apparatus to another, her sharp gaze missing no detail, her voice firm one moment and full of laughter the next. It was as though the same spark that captivated audiences in Munich and Montreal now animated her gym, fueling the efforts of a new generation.

The interview that followed revealed both the sternness and the warmth behind her approach. Saadi spoke candidly about the challenges of transitioning from star athlete to mentor, about the disappointments and patience required to truly reach young gymnasts, and about the joy of creating something original together with her pupils. She admitted the complexity of modern gymnastics sometimes frightened even her, but she instilled in her girls courage, ambition, and the drive to think creatively.

Note: The following translation is not an endorsement of Saadi’s coaching. At the time of this writing, Elvira Saadi is permanently banned from working with athletes in Canada. If you’re curious about her move from the Soviet Union to Canada, you can jump to the appendix to read one of the first profiles of Saadi in Canadian newspapers.

Elvira Saadi, 1973

INTERVIEW AT YOUR REQUEST

Elvira SAADI:
“WITHOUT THEM, THE WORLD WOULD SEEM DIM TO ME”

Dear Editors,
I am a fan of artistic gymnastics. I admired the performances of our best masters of the apparatus. But especially I loved gymnast Elvira Saadi — her enchanting floor routines were extraordinarily beautiful. Elvira knew how to transform herself on the competition floor. I know that, in 1977, Saadi left the sport. What is she doing now? Where is she working?

M. KUZMIN
Moscow

We were also asked to meet with two-time Olympic champion Elvira Saadi by readers V. Nisova (Frunze), M. Maksimkina (Ulan-Ude), I. Nikitina (Kyiv), and others.


A bright gymnastics hall at “Dynamo,” the specialized sports school of Moscow. We open the door — and stop, amazed. Dozens of boys and girls are training on the apparatus. It looks like an anthill. But if you look closer, the hall is in perfect order; no one is getting in anyone’s way.

We recognize Elvira Saadi immediately: she has not changed a bit. She is still just as impetuous and graceful, with her short jet-black haircut. She doesn’t notice anything around her; all her attention is on her pupils. Saadi hasn’t sat down for even a minute; all her rest is in her work. Her eyes are glowing, her smile sparkles; she can raise her voice at a mischievous youngster, and when an assignment is carried out successfully, her obligatory smile follows…

That is how we remember her on the competition floor. Elvira Saadi captivated the audience with her passion, her zest for life.

— Elvira, don’t you regret that you weren’t able to express yourself fully in competition? You are an Olympic champion and a world champion in the team competition. But by your potential, you could have won at the biggest tournaments on individual apparatus, especially on floor and on beam…

— No, I don’t regret it. In sport, I did everything I could. I was also the all-around champion of the country; I won on individual apparatus. Well, at the Olympics, something didn’t work out… But still, the two gold medals from Munich and Montreal are a tremendous achievement for me.

— Did you decide right away to become a coach?

— Somewhere around the tenth grade, I realized that I couldn’t live without gymnastics. I decided then to become a coach, but suddenly I enrolled in the biology department at Moscow State University. I thought that a teacher should understand the deep processes of life. I studied willingly, but the pre-Olympic workload grew so much that I simply no longer had time to pass exams. So I enrolled again — this time, in the Institute of Physical Culture. It wasn’t easier, but at least there they gave some breathing room during exams.

I could no longer train seriously; I went into the gym only for myself, and I tried to help my coach, Vladimir Filippovich Aksenov, look for young talent. We moved from Tashkent to Moscow. I knew that the Montreal Olympics would be my last competition, and so again and again, I thought through Aksenov’s methods. Soon, he gathered a new group, and among the girls was the lively Olya Mostepanova. I wanted to be Vladimir Filippovich’s right hand, but it didn’t work out. Apparently, I needed independence right away, not patronage, not guardianship.

When I gathered my first group, I was convinced that it would be easy to find common ground with the girls, that I would soon be able to calmly pass on my love for gymnastics to them, and quickly teach them everything that I knew myself. How incredibly difficult it is to be a coach! Everything turned out to be much harder. But I had to go through many disappointments to understand that the most important thing in our business is patience, patience, and once again patience.

…Saadi interrupts the conversation, a little surprised herself at how she got distracted by “outside talk.” But in fact, she hadn’t taken her eyes off either Tanya Chernova or Marina Goryunova, noting all their mistakes, and now, unable to contain the information she’d accumulated, she literally rushed over to her girls and began speaking quickly: “Well, who does Tkachev’s release like that? Where’s the flight? And why those ‘dead toes’?”

Little Natasha Novozhilova has tears in her eyes — and then immediately a shy smile. “Well, it’s okay, it’s okay, let’s redo it.”

And again, turning to Tanya Groshkova, who was working on beam: “You’re dancing, in general, not badly. But somehow it’s tasteless, without feeling. Let’s try it again. Lighter, more cheerful this time.”

We don’t hurry her; we sit modestly on the benches and wait for the conversation to continue. Finally, a “window” appears.

— Elvira, your students at ages 10–12 have already mastered the most modern routines and elements. At the last youth championship, Marina Goryunova impressed everyone with a unique dismount on bars — a full-twisting double pike, for which she was awarded a special prize. And other gymnasts are learning new elements. Aren’t you pushing the preparation of your young athletes too fast?

— In a specialized sports school, girls start gymnastics from the age of six. Talent for this sport shows itself from the very first steps. After that comes work, strength, proper coordination, and courage. The excellent ones move into a weaker group, and others choose another sport that suits them better. My girls have moved steadily up gymnastics’ steps, and now they themselves are interested not in repeating old material, but in mastering something new and unusual. I can’t just tread water! Probably, I’ve trained my girls in this as well. For me, the greatest joy is when we invent something original together. That means we are learning to think, to create!

I confess, sometimes I myself am frightened by this incredible complexity. What tricks, what rich routines! But at competitions, you look — everyone is searching for something, everyone is looking ahead. Then all fears vanish. And I tell my girls: “Are we worse than the others? Not at all! You can beat them all!”

I try to instill in them ambition, a thirst for victory. Without that in sport — as in life — you won’t achieve much. I didn’t always understand my coach’s words: “I put my soul into my pupils,” but now I do. I fuss over them as if they were my own children; perhaps I even give less attention to my own son, Diyan, and my daughter, Liana. The girls need a watchful eye — at this age, they’re sweet, capricious, quick to take offense, and mischievous. It’s not easy with them, but without them the world would seem dim to me…

For each gymnast, at every training session, an individual approach is needed. One has to be scolded a little so she “fires up,” another has to be praised — that lifts her mood; a third needs to be pitied, stroked on the head. My girls are all different, unique in character, in inclination…

We ask 12-year-old Natasha Novozhilova: “What is Elvira Fuatovna like?” Natasha answers: “She’s very demanding, but fair, like a mother.”

Saadi looks at the clock: “Today I’ll leave the gym a little earlier — it’s Liana’s birthday, she’s turning seven. I have to manage to prepare something tasty for her friends. Maybe I’ll whip up some unusual salad or a homemade pie. I don’t like to repeat myself, I can’t stand still!”

…We say goodbye to Elvira and look at her pupils. They diligently repeat their exercises, learning the world of movement. Not all of them will become champions? Perhaps. But the time will come when they will all remember their coach with gratitude — her voice, her face, her smile…

V. Goluzev,
N. Smirnova,
Masters of Sport

Sovetsky Sport, March 18, 1987


ИНТЕРВЬЮ ПО ВАШЕЙ ПРОСЬБЕ

Эльвира СААДИ:
«А БЕЗ НИХ МИР ДЛЯ МЕНЯ ПОТУСКНЕЕТ»

Дорогая редакция! Я поклонник спортивной гимнастики. Восторгался выступлениями наших лучших мастеров помоста. Но особенно мне нравилась гимнастка Эльвира Саади, её пленительные вольные упражнения были необыкновенно хороши. Эльвира умела перевоплощаться на помосте. Знаю, что в 1977 году Саади оставила спорт. А чем она сейчас занимается, где работает?
М. КУЗЬМИН.
МОСКВА.

Встретиться с двукратной олимпийской чемпионкой Эльвирой Саади нас попросили также читатели В. Нисова (Фрунзе), М. Максимкина (Улан-Удэ), И. Никитина (Киев) и другие.


…Светлый гимнастический зал специализированной спортшколы московского «Динамо». Открываем дверь — останавливаемся поражённые. Десятки мальчиков и девочек занимаются на гимнастических снарядах. Ну прямо муравейник. А приглядимся — в зале настоящий порядок, никто никому не мешает.

Эльвиру Саади узнаём сразу: она нисколько не изменилась, всё такая же порывистая, изящная, с короткой стрижкой смоляных волос. Она ничего не замечает вокруг, всё внимание на своих учеников. Саади не присела ни на минуту — всё лечением работой. Глаза горят, улыбка искрится, она может и прикрикнуть на расшалившегося юнца, и вот удачно выполнено задание, и обязательная улыбка…

Вот такой мы помним её на помосте — Эльвира Саади завораживала зрителей страстью, жизнелюбием.

— Эльвира, а вы не жалеете, что всё-таки не смогли до конца выразить себя на помосте? Вы — олимпийская чемпионка и чемпионка мира в командном первенстве. Но по своим возможностям могли бы побеждать на самых крупных турнирах и в личном зачёте, особенно в вольных и в упражнениях на бревне…

— Нет, не жалею, в спорте я сделала всё, что сумела. Была и абсолютной чемпионкой страны, побеждала и в отдельных видах. Ну, а на Олимпиадах что-то не получилось… Однако и две золотые награды Мюнхена и Монреаля — для меня огромное достижение.

— Вы сразу решили стать тренером?

— Где-то в десятом классе я поняла, что без гимнастики не смогу жить. Тогда же и решила стать тренером, а поступила вдруг на биофак МГУ. Мне казалось, что педагог должен постигнуть глубинные процессы жизнедеятельности. Училась охотно, но предолимпийские нагрузки так возросли, что просто уже не успевала сдавать зачёты. И снова поступила — в институт физкультуры. Было не легче, но всё же там давали некоторую передышку в сессию.

Я уже не могла тренироваться, шла в зал только для себя, и старалась помочь моему тренеру Владимиру Филипповичу Аксёнову искать юные дарования. Мы переехали из Ташкента в Москву. Я знала, что Олимпиада в Монреале будет последним моим турниром, и поэтому снова и снова обдумывала методы работы Аксёнова. Скоро он набрал новую группу, среди девочек была и шустрая Оля Мостепанова. Мне хотелось быть правой рукой Владимира Филипповича, но не получилось. Видимо, мне сразу нужна была самостоятельность, не покровительство, не опека.

Набрав свою первую группу, я была убеждена, что легко найду с девушками общий язык, что скоро совершенно спокойно смогу передать им свою любовь к гимнастике, быстро научу всему тому, что сама умею. Как же это невероятно трудно — быть тренером! Всё оказалось намного сложнее. Однако мне необходимо было пройти через многие разочарования, понять, что главное в нашем деле — терпение, терпение и ещё раз терпение.

…Саади прерывает беседу, она сама немного удивлена, как это отвлеклась на «посторонние разговоры», но ведь она не спускала глаз ни с Тани Черновой, ни с Марины Горюновой, подмечала все ошибки и сейчас, не выдержав накопившейся информации, буквально ринулась к своим девочкам и быстро-быстро заговорила: «Ну, кто так делает “передел” Ткачёвой? Где полёт? Почему “глухие носочки”?»

У Наташки Новожиловой слёзки в глазах — и тут же пальчик улыбка. «Ну, ничего, ничего, давай мы его переделаем».

И снова, обращаясь к Тане Грошковой, делающей упражнение на бревне: «Танцуешь, в общем-то неплохо. Но как-то невкусно, без настроения у тебя получается. Давай ещё раз, легче, веселее».

Мы не торопим, скромно сидим на скамеечках и ждём продолжения беседы. Наконец появляется «окошко».

— Эльвира, ваши ученицы в 10–12 лет уже овладели самыми современными композициями, элементами. Вот Марина Горюнова блеснула на прошлом молодёжном первенстве уникальным соскоком на брусьях — двойное сальто прогнувшись с пируэтом, за что была награждена специальным призом. И другие гимнастки разучивают новые элементы. Не форсируете ли вы подготовку юных спортсменок?

— В специализированной спортшколе гимнастикой начинают заниматься девочки с шести лет. Одарённость к этому виду спорта проявляется с первых шагов. А дальше — нужен труд, сила, нужная координация, смелость. Отличники переходят в группу послабее, другие выбирают для себя более подходящий вид. Мои девочки ровно шли по ступенькам гимнастики, им теперь самим интересно не повторять пройденный материал, а осваивать что-то новое, необычное. Не могу топтаться на месте! Наверное, и девочек своих к этому приучила. Для меня самая большая радость, когда мы сообща выдумываем что-нибудь оригинальное. Значит, мы учимся мыслить, творить!

Признаться, я сама порой пугаюсь этой невероятной сложности. Какие трюки, какие насыщенные композиции! А на соревнованиях смотришь — все чего-то ищут, все смотрят вперёд. Тут уже все страхи улетучиваются. И говорю девочкам: «А мы что — хуже других? Не хуже! Да вы же у всех можете выиграть!»…

Я стараюсь воспитать в них честолюбие, жажду победы. Без этого в спорте, как, впрочем, и в жизни, многого не добьёшься. Раньше я не очень-то понимала откровений моего тренера: «Я в своих учениц душу вкладываю», — а теперь понимаю. Я с ними, как с родными детьми, вожусь, может, своему сыну Дияне и Лиане уделяю внимания меньше. За девочками нужен глаз да глаз — они в этом возрасте и сладенькие, и капризули, и обидчивые, и озорницы. Так нелегко с ними, а без них мир для меня потускнеет…

К каждой гимнастке на каждой тренировке нужен особый подход. Одну надо немножко поругать, чтобы она «завелась», другую — похвалить, это создаёт ей хорошее настроение, третью — пожалеть, погладить по головке. Разные у меня девочки, неповторимые по характеру, наклонностям…

Спрашиваем 12-летнюю Наташу Новожилову: «Какая Эльвира Фуатовна?» Наташа отвечает: «Она очень требовательная, но справедливая, как мама».

Саади смотрит на часы: «Сегодня уйду из зала чуть пораньше — у Лианки день рождения, семь лет. Надо успеть приготовить для её друзей что-нибудь вкусненькое. Может, изобрету на ходу какой-нибудь необычный салат или домашний пирог. Не люблю повторяться, не могу топтаться на месте!»

…Мы прощаемся с Эльвирой и смотрим на её учениц. Они старательно повторяют упражнения, постигают мир движений. Не все станут чемпионами? Возможно. Но всё равно придёт время, и все они с благодарностью вспомнят своего тренера — его голос, лицо, улыбку…

В. Голузев,
Н. Смирнова,
мастера спорта.


1995: Saadi in Canada

In case you were wondering about Elvira Saadi’s transition from the Soviet Union to Canada, here’s one of the earliest profiles in the Canadian newspapers. As you’ll see, it paints a similar portrait to the Sovetsky Sport article — tough with a touch of nice.

World-Class Coach Helps Cambridge Kids
By Paula Schuck

Coach Elvira Saadi’s winning ways are bringing unprecedented attention to the Cambridge Kips.

Saadi, a two-time Olympic competitor for the former Soviet Union team, moved to Cambridge in 1991 and began coaching the Kips in November 1993.

Since she took control of the Kips, participation has never been higher.

“Before it was kids coming for fun, and fun was just playing,” said Saadi.

In 1984, enrollment in the Kips program jumped to about 200 girls.

But in 1993, when Saadi joined the club, the numbers more than doubled to over 500 members. And enrollment has been steadily increasing ever since, with 740 members as of last fall.

Saadi’s qualifications undoubtedly attracted more than a few Olympic hopefuls. Saadi placed eighth all-around in the 1972 Munich Olympics and seventh all-around in the 1976 Montreal Olympics.

She excelled at floor exercises [sic], in which she combined elements of traditional Tatar dance. Saadi—herself a Tatar and a descendant of the Russians of east central Europe—was known for her complex gymnastics.

After competing extensively around the world in international and national championships and collecting many titles and awards, Saadi made the transition to coaching in 1976 in Moscow.

“I think that she’s a special coach. I think she has a lot of different qualities. She loves gymnastics, but it’s not just that. It’s everything about the sport. She’s really focused,” said Jennifer Blake, Saadi’s current coaching assistant.

Saadi said her love of children was one of the primary reasons she chose to become a coach.

“It was a long time ago. After gymnastics, I went to school for biology, and after six months, I realized it was not for me. … It’s fun teaching the girls and helping them.”

Saadi has done a lot to change the attitude of the girls she coaches. And in the past year, she has noticed a definite change in the psychology of the team.

“Now this club is learning some skills. Before, the coach was like a babysitter.”

Dana Ellis, 15, of Kitchener, has been doing gymnastics [for] 12 years, and for much of that time belonged to another club. But when her regular club encountered coaching difficulties Ellis switched. It’s a decision she does not regret.

“(Saadi’s) great. She’s a super coach. She really loves her kids, and she gets results,” Ellis said.

Founded in 1972 by Don and Benita Rope, the team moved to its present location behind the Preston Memorial Auditorium in 1981. Over the past two decades, the Kips have produced their fair share of champions, including four Olympic competitors. The Rope’s daughter, Patti, competed in the 1976 Olympics. Other Kips who made it to the Olympics were Sherry Hawko, Linda Bartolini, and Patti Jo Knorr.

Under Saadi’s guidance and instruction, the Kips currently boast two girls on the Canadian Senior High Performance Team — the highest level of competitive gymnastics in Canada. Ellis is competing for the second year on the team, and Yvonne Tousek, 14, of Cambridge, just made the transition to the senior level after competing last year on the Junior High Performance Team.

Tousek and Ellis spend five or six days a week practising at the club. Tousek lives in Cambridge, and she’s been doing gymnastics for 11 years. Last March, she joined the Kips.

“She’s a tough coach, but she also has a really nice side,” says Tousek of Saadi.

A couple of the other Kips are almost ready to begin competing at the national level.

“We have two others who have high aptitude, but they can’t compete at the national level because they are too young,” said Saadi.

Crystal Gilmore, 11, and Rhonda Page, 10, practise with Tousek and Ellis. Both compete at the provincial level right now. At the Southwest Region First Provincial Qualifying Meet held in Windsor last December, Gilmore took first place in her division.

“She is good. But I can’t rush her,” said Saadi, pointing to Gilmore working out on the bars. “She’s too young. The physical and mental have to be together.”

Saadi takes her role as coach and mentor very seriously, spending six days a week at the club or more when necessary.

“When you have a goal and you are working towards competition, then you don’t count hours.”

Tousek and Ellis recently attended the trials for the Pan Am Games. Ellis finished 13th in her attempt to make the women’s team. Tousek had to sit on the sidelines due to an injury sustained during the warm-ups.

Waterloo Region Record, February 23, 1995


More Interviews and Profiles

1987: A Personal Essay by Maria Filatova – “Children Need to Be Told Fairy Tales”
1987: An Interview with Dmitry Bilozerchev – “I Will Compete!”
1998: An Interview with Olga Mostepanova – “I Just Love Children”
1989: An Interview with Olga Mostepanova – “There’s Something Inimitable about Her”
1989: An Interview with Lyubov Burda-Andrianova about Coaching in the U.S.
1987: A Personal Essay by Lyubov Burda-Andrianova – “I Look into the Eyes of My Girls”
1987: A Personal Essay by Mikhail Voronin – “The More I Have Understood”
1987: An Interview with Natalia Kuchinskaya – “Gymnastics Is My Love”
1987: An Interview with Larisa Petrik – “I Always Sought Inspiration”
1987: An Interview with Larisa Latynina – “Know How to Nurture Talent”
1987: An Interview with Olga Korbut – “I Would Still Be Performing”
1989: Elena Mukhina Addresses the Myths in “After Fame, After Tragedy”
1988: Elena Mukhina Breaks Her Silence in “Grown-up Games”
1972: Jackie Fie’s Thoughts on Judging
1974: Božena Perdykulová and Her “Vault to Glory”
1974: A Profile of Miloslav Netušil – “One of Many”
1974: Gymnastics without Kuchinskaya but with Tourischeva and Korbut
1974: Interviews with Natalia Kuchinskaya and Klaus Köste in Riga
1973: A Profile of Zdena Dorňáková, the 14-Year-Old Czechoslovak Champion
1973: Olga Korbut Mania in the Soviet Union

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