“At first it was more painful”: Stepanova about the feeling of injustice, the desire to prove herself and media activity

Veronika Stepanova is one of the few Russian athletes who are seriously concerned about the development of a personal brand.

The Olympic champion maintains her own Telegram channel and believes that all athletes should do the same to attract the attention of fans and popularize the sports they play.

The media activity of the 21-year-old skier at one time raised questions from the head coach of the Russian national team, Elena Vyalbe.

She expressed fears that the girl might develop a star disease.

However, Veronica herself has repeatedly emphasized that maintaining social networks is part of her work as an athlete.

On Wednesday, the skier spoke at the Transformation of the Media Landscape strategic panel at the Russia is a Sports Power forum, where she once again explained her approach.

“People should come to competitions like they are at a show, at a rock concert.

On the confrontation between Natalia Nepryaeva and Veronika Stepanova, for example.

The UFC has a very proper warm-up process.

And I think it should be like that in all sports.

And I convince all the guys, I even persuade them to run social networks and develop personal brands, ”said Stepanova.

After the performance, the athlete answered questions from RT.

— Why did you decide to take part in the event and specifically in this session?

- I really hope that the forum needs it, and I want to express my thoughts here offline, to communicate with everyone.

I hope we will come up with some interesting ideas and maybe implement something.

- In your speech, you praised the UFC for its approach to “burning up” before the competition.

Do you think it will be possible to implement something similar in various sports in our country in the foreseeable future?

And are the athletes themselves ready for this?

It's a tough question, I don't even know how to answer it.

I can not give such forecasts and speak for other athletes.

Most likely, we need to wait for the next generation, which is now growing up.

These guys are already completely immersed in social networks, they have a different attitude to the media.

I really hope for them.

- How is the preparation for the new season going, given the small health problems that haunted you in the summer?

- These are all working moments.

It's not in my rules to delve into the topic of health, I consider it too personal.

The main thing is that now the work is going on as usual, as it was last year, as before.

Nothing fundamentally has changed.

Do you have any specific goals for the season?

- The main task is to show consistently high results, gain a foothold in the team and establish yourself as a stable athlete who always achieves his goals.

- The title of the Olympic champion does not press?

— No, absolutely.

I forgot about it a long time ago - the very minute I stepped off the pedestal.

This season is going to be different...

No, no, I don't think so.

We have all-Russian competitions, we had the same calendar last year and the year before.

Well, while there are still chances that we will be allowed to the World Cup, there is talk about it.

But on the other hand, I’m even glad to some extent, because the competitions in Russia are a good opportunity for me personally to solve my local tasks, which I just spoke about - to establish myself as a stable athlete.

- Are they discussing the topic of suspension on the sidelines of the forum?

Maybe there is some encouraging news?

- Everyone gives their predictions based on the information that they receive, but apparently it is different for everyone

.

Therefore, there is no consensus, a golden mean.

But there were voices in the international federation in favor of our return.

They throw a bait.

But how things will develop further is unclear.

- One gets the feeling that the FIS wants to see Russian skiers in competitions, but is afraid to make this decision without the approval of the International Olympic Committee.

Do you agree?

- May be.

In general, the situation is strange and absurd.

Our suspension is so unfair... Every rule is broken...

- Over time, the feeling of injustice of what is happening does not leave?

“At first it was much more painful.

Now it's a little easier, because a person gets used to everything.