Lilia Podkopayeva: “With my height, it’s impossible to live without high heels, although my joints hurt terribly due to sports loads. Lilia Podkopayeva: biography, personal life, achievements and interesting facts Lilia Podkopayeva biography in Ukrainian

Olympic champion in gymnastics, head of the "Health of Generations" Foundation.

Was born in Donetsk. She was raised by her mother and grandmother. In 2001 she graduated with honors from the Kyiv Institute of Physical Education with a degree in coach-teacher. In 2002, she entered the Donetsk State University of Management at the Department of Management.

Started doing gymnastics from the very early childhood. From the age of five to eight, she conducted three mandatory daily workouts. As a result, thanks to her talent and exceptional diligence, Podkopayeva became the owner of 45 gold, 21 silver and 14 bronze medals only at international competitions excluding national championships.

1995 - absolute world champion (Japan, Sabae), winner of the European Cup. 1996 - the absolute champion of Europe (Great Britain, Birmingham). 1996 - the absolute champion of the Olympic Games (USA, Atlanta).

Honored Master of Sports of Ukraine (1994). Judge of the international category. She played for the Dynamo sports society.

At the end of her sports career, L. Podkopayeva launched her own business in the United States for the production sportswear, set about creating a network of gymnastic schools in the Donetsk region. She became the founder and head of the International Charitable Foundation "Health of Generations". She organized the sports festival "Golden Lily", which in 2007 was held in Kyiv for the seventh time.

In 2004 she was National Ambassador to the Council of Europe for Sports, Tolerance and fair play. In 2005 - UN Goodwill Ambassador for AIDS. In 2007, she was awarded by the UN for the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Winner in the nomination "Athlete of the Year" (1996). In 2006, she was awarded the title of "Sports Manager of the Year". In 2007, in the national program "Person of the Year" she was recognized as "Woman of the Year". Then she won the popular TV project "Dancing with the Stars - 2" on the channel "1 + 1". In 2008, the name of L. Podkopayeva was immortalized in the World Hall of Fame (USA, Oklahoma City).

She was awarded the President's Distinction, the Cross "For Courage", the Order "For Merit" II and III degrees, the medal "For Active social activities", the Order of the City of Sabae (Japan), certificates of honor from the governments of the USA, Russia, China, Romania, Belarus, Poland, Japan. Cavalier Lady of the Order of St. Stanislaus.

about her life and sports achievements books have been written, films made in many countries of the world. Poems, songs, paintings and even sculptures are dedicated to her. The author's element of L. Podkopayeva - "double forward somersault with a turn of 180 degrees" - has not yet been repeated in the world. Admiring her talent, skill, diligence and charm, at the suggestion of the Americans, fans in different parts of the world call her Lady Pod.

Astakhova Polina Grigorievna

Soviet gymnast. Honored Master of Sports of the USSR (1960). Cavalier of the Order of Princess Olga III degree (2002).

She was born on October 30, 1936 in the city of Dnepropetrovsk. She was engaged in gymnastics from the age of 13, when, due to being late for the start school year decided to leave school and enter the Donetsk technical school physical culture and sports. In 1954, she participated in the USSR championship for the first time. She has been performing at the world level since 1956, when she was the youngest member of the Soviet gymnastic team at the Melbourne Olympics. Astakhova - owner of 10 Olympic medals, including five gold ones.

In addition, she is the world champion in the team championship (1956, 1962); European champion in floor exercises (1959), uneven bars (1959, 1961), balance beam (1961), silver medalist in all-around (1961), floor exercises (1961). Absolute champion of the USSR (1959). Winner of the USSR Cup in the all-around. Champion of the USSR in exercises on uneven bars, balance beam (1961), in floor exercises, repeated silver medalist in all-around (1965), in exercises on uneven bars, balance beam (1959, 1960), in floor exercises (1961, 1963).

Polina Astakhova on a 1965 USSR stamp.

Astakhova was considered the most graceful gymnast of her time, her nickname in Western media was "Russian birch".

After completing her sports career in 1972, Polina Astakhova coached Ukrainian gymnasts.

The president of FC Shakhtar, Rinat Akhmetov, financed her funeral at the Baikove cemetery.

Bubka Sergey Nazarovich

President of the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine, ex-president of Rodovid Bank. Born in Lugansk. In 1987 he graduated from the Kyiv State Institute of Physical Culture. In 2002 he became a candidate of pedagogical sciences.

S. Bubka is a legendary track and field athlete (pole vault). In 1983 he became an honored master of sports. From 1983 to 1997 six times won the title of world champion. Winner of the World and European Cups (1985), European champion (1986). In 1988 he became the champion of the XXIV Olympic Games in Seoul.

He is a multiple Grand Prix winner. International Association athletics federations (IAAF). During his sports career he set 35 world records. In 1984, he set his first world record at competitions in Bratislava, taking a height of 5 m 85 cm. The first in history athletics overcame a height of 6 m (July 13, 1985 in Paris).

The famous jumper is the owner of the Order of the Red Banner of Labor (1988), the Order of Lenin (1989). In 1997, in the rating of the newspaper "Ekip" (France), he was recognized as the "champion of champions". In 2001, S. Bubka was awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine. In 2003, he became the winner of the nationwide action "Stars of Ukraine" and was recognized as a UNESCO champion in sports. Included in the Guinness Book of Records for the largest number of world achievements in athletics. Confessed three times the best athlete peace.

Since 2002, S. Bubka has been the chairman of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Elected Vice President in 2007 International Federation athletics and first vice president of the IAAF.

In June 2005, at the XVIII Extraordinary General Assembly of the National Olympic Committee(NOC) was elected president of the committee. In November 2006, he was re-elected President of the NOC for 2006-2010. On October 7, 2010, he was re-elected until 2014. He was the only candidate in the elections and received the votes of all 107 registered members of the NOC by secret ballot.

Champion - president and founder of the "Sergei Bubka Club". Since 1990, under his leadership, annual international competitions among the strongest athletes in the world in pole vault "Pole Stars" have been held.

From 2002 to 2006 he was a People's Deputy of Ukraine. Worked in the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Youth Policy, Physical Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Not the first year S. Bubka - not only famous athlete and sports functionary, but also a businessman. The great jumper was one of the key owners of Rodovid Bank, one of the largest banks in Ukraine (he was also its president). In July 2009, as a result of the financial crisis, Rodovid Bank was nationalized.

According to some experts, S. Bubka, despite the fireworks of world records, did not fully reveal all his capabilities. The champion himself said that he did not want to remain in history the hero of one jump. And the Ukrainian athlete succeeded in full.

Turkevich Mikhail Mikhailovich

Honored Master of Sports of the USSR in mountaineering, master of sports international class(1982), multiple winner of the championships and championships of the USSR in mountaineering and rock climbing, multiple organizer of expeditions to the Himalayas.

Born in 1954 in with. Utishkovo, Lviv region. Graduated from the Kyiv State Institute of Physical Culture, worked as the chairman of the Donetsk Regional Mountaineering Club "Donbass". He did a lot for the development of mountaineering and rock climbing, worked with young people, initiated the construction of a mountaineering base in the Donetsk region.

He began to go in for mountaineering in 1973. He himself believed that he got into the climbers by chance: they issued a ticket, it turned out - in the a / l "Shkhelda". Since 1979, he has made about 30 ascents on routes of the highest category of difficulty. 1982 - Member of the First Soviet Himalayan Expedition. In conjunction with Bershov, for the first time in the history of conquering Everest, he climbed to the top at night, May 4, 1982. He was awarded the Order of the Red Banner of Labor, awarded the titles of ZMS and MSMK. Repeated champion and prize-winner of the Union championships. He won first places and gold medals in 1984 for climbing Chatyn, in 1986 for climbing Ushba South. 1986 - participated in the first winter ascent of the peak of Communism, which was carried out as a training ascent before leaving for the Himalayas.

Then he participated in the traverse of four eight-thousandth peaks of the array. On April 30 and May 1, in the Bershov group, he successively climbed the Western summit (8505 m), the Main (8586 m), the Middle (8478 m) and the South. 3, for these ascents he was awarded the Order of Friendship of Peoples. 1990 - again in the Himalayas, this time - deputy leader of the expedition "Lhotse-90", organized by the Trade Union of the USSR. The task of the expedition - climbing the legendary southern face of Lhotse - was carried out by two members of the expedition - Bershov and Karataev. Turkevich, together with G. Kopeika, climbed up to 8250 m. They were completely aimed at the summit, they did not use oxygen up to 8200 m, they had excellent acclimatization and technical readiness. Having met Bershov and Karataev descending, the deuce immediately began the descent, helping the frostbitten and exhausted comrades.

1992 - led the Ukrainian expedition to Everest along the SW st. We climbed to 8760 m. Brilliant climber, MS in rock climbing - 1976. He was the champion of the USSR in individual climbing and pair races in 1977 and in combinations in 1979.

Repeated winner and champion of the All-Union Central Council of Trade Unions and international climbing competitions. Deputy Chairman of the Donetsk Regional FA and member of the coaching council.

In the last years of his life, becoming the deputy head of the Rescuer Training Center of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia, he lived in Moscow. During this period, he wrote the book "Rescue Work" (Publishing House of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia), where there is even a chapter - "First Medical Aid".

On the morning of July 1, 2003 in Sochi, he was taken to intensive care. He was in a coma for two days, and on July 3 he died. His pancreas failed him. His body on a plane on the morning of July 5 was taken by special flight to Moscow. On the same day he was cremated.

Ponomarev Ruslan Olegovich

Ukrainian chess player, FIDE world champion. Honored Master of Sports of Ukraine.

Was born on October 11, 1983 in Gorlovka, Donetsk region. Graduated in 2000 high school No. 26, Kramatorsk. In 2005 - Faculty of Law of the Donbass Institute of Technology and Law. In 1990 he learned to play chess. 1992 - chess champion of the city of Gorlovka, as well as the Donetsk region (among teenagers under 10 years old). 1993 - chess champion of the Donetsk region (among teenagers under 12).

1994 - champion of Ukraine in chess, as well as 3rd place in the world championship (among teenagers under 12 years old). 1995 - European chess champion (among teenagers under 12 years old). 1996 - Ukrainian chess champion (among boys under 16 years old); European chess champion (among boys under 18); winner of the international chess tournament in Sevastopol, as well as 2nd place in the club championship of Ukraine.

1998 - 1st place in the VI Ukrainian Chess Championship among clubs; 3rd place in the national team of Ukraine at the XXXIII World Olympiad in Elista, Russia; 1st place at the zonal tournament of the World Chess Championship in Donetsk; obtaining the title of international grandmaster, as a result of which he becomes the youngest grandmaster in the world.

2001 - 1st place at the Rector's Cup tournament in Kharkov; 2nd place in the individual European Championship in Macedonia; title - vice-champion of Europe; 1st place in the national team of Ukraine on V team championship peace in Armenia; title - world champion as part of Ukraine.

2002 - at the age of 18 he becomes the FIDE World Chess Champion. 2004 - Olympic champion as part of the Ukrainian team at the World Chess Olympiad in Spain.

2005 - won the 16th category tournament in Pamplona (Spain), the Moscow Golden Blitz tournament and international tournament Pivdenniy Bank Efim Geller Memorial in Odessa. 3rd place at the international super tournament of the XX category in Sofia, as well as 2nd place at the FIDE World Cup in Khanty-Mansiysk.

2007 - winner of the tournament rapid chess in Villarobledo (Spain), a tournament in Karlovy Vary (Czech Republic), Champion of Ukraine in the Kyiv club Keystone (first board), third place in the European Club Championship. He was awarded the Order of Yaroslav the Wise, 5th class (2002) and Order of Merit, 3rd class.

culture

Solovyanenko Anatoly Borisovich

People's Artist of the USSR, laureate of the Lenin Prize, People's Artist of Ukraine, laureate of the Taras Shevchenko Prize, commander of the Italian Republic, holder of orders and medals.

Born on September 25, 1932 in Donetsk, in a hereditary mining family. In 1954, Anatoly Solovyanenko graduated from the Donetsk Polytechnic Institute, and in 1978, already being a People's Artist of the USSR, from the Kyiv Conservatory.

Music for Anatoly Borisovich was the constant companion of life with all its joys and sorrows.

From the early age Anatoly was in the atmosphere of a song - Russian, Ukrainian. Interest in opera classics came to him later, when he met the famous Ukrainian singer, Honored Artist of the RSFSR A. N. Korobeichenko, who recognized in young man operatic talent. Since 1950, Anatoly Solovyanenko took singing lessons from him. Ten years of stubborn joint studies were the prologue to the sensation that A. B. Solovyanenko made in 1962 at a show of folk talents in Kyiv. A very competent jury, which included outstanding Ukrainian singers, listened with amazement to the performance of the young mining engineer. He confidently and professionally performed works belonging to the world tenor repertoire - the aria of Radames from "Aida" by G. Verdi and the arioso Canio from Leoncavallo's opera "Pagliacci", conquering all those present with his manner of performance and voice, the incomparable lightness of the upper notes. And the invitation of an amateur singer to one of the best opera houses in the country - in 1962 Anatoly Solovyanenko was accepted as an intern at the State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater named after T. G. Shevchenko - looked quite natural.

His victory in the competition of young vocalists for the right to train at the Milan theater "La Scala" became quite natural. Since 1963, A. B. Solovyanenko, under the guidance of the famous maestro Barra, learned the school of Italian bel canto. For three years (1963-1965), the maestro developed his taste, improved the culture of performance, revealed the brightness and originality of his voice, which more and more crystallized as a lyrical tenor. And although the roles of Radames and Canio had to be abandoned, the Duke ("Rigoletto" by G. Verdi) and Edgar ("Lucia di Lammermoor" by G. Donizetti) soon became the highlights in the repertoire of the Ukrainian singer. He performed them in Kyiv, and during tours on the stages of other Soviet and foreign theaters. Thus, the listeners of Germany met his Edgar during the tour of the Kyiv Opera in Wiesbaden, and the audience of the New York Metropolitan Opera met the Duke. Anatoly Solovyanenko was the first Soviet tenor to receive an invitation to sing in this leading US theater. During the 1977/1978 season, he participated in 12 performances of the Metropolitan Opera, with great success also performing roles in the operas "Der Rosenkavalier" by R. Strauss and "Country Honor" by P. Mascagni.

For 30 years of work as a soloist of the State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater named after T. G. Shevchenko (1965-1995), Anatoly Borisovich Solovyanenko sang 18 parts. The singer's repertoire included many concert programs composed of works by Russian, Ukrainian and foreign authors. He recorded 18 records (arias, romances, songs).

At the Dovzhenko Film Studio, a musical and feature film "Challenge to Fate" was shot with the participation of A. B. Solovyanenko. In 1982, A. K. Tereshchenko's book "A. Solovyanenko" was published, dedicated to the creative and life path singer and reissued in 1988.

Khaldey Evgeny Ananyevich

Soviet photographer, military photojournalist.

Evgeny Ananyevich Khaldei was born in the village of Yuzovka, now it is the city of Donetsk.

From the age of 13 he worked at a factory and at the same age he took his first picture with a self-made camera. He rented a local church, which was soon destroyed. Perhaps then young Eugene felt the full significance of photography for history.

Soon he bought his first real camera, Fotokor-1, on an installment plan, and soon he was already collaborating with the factory circulation. He also took photographs for wall newspapers.

For several years, Eugene simultaneously gained experience and achieved fame by publishing in various publications and participating in creative competitions. As a result, in 1936 the young photographer moved to Moscow. He traveled a lot around the country on business trips, filmed the leaders of production, as well as the construction of the five-year plan. But then the war began...

Yevgeny Khaldei turned out to be a front-line photojournalist already on June 22 and spent all 1418 days of the war on different fronts, without parting with the faithful Leika. Last but not least, the country judged the war from his photographs, and some of them were presented as evidence to the Nuremberg Tribunal.

And it was he who took one of the most symbolic photographs of that war - the hoisting of the banner over the defeated Reichstag. The photo was replicated in millions of copies, but only relatively recently Yevgeny Khaldei told true story this picture.

"The banner of victory over the Reichstag". Legendary photo of Evgeny Khaldei

As it turned out, the photo was still completely staged. Moreover, although Yegorov, Kantaria and Berest actually hoisted the main banner over the Reichstag (there were more than forty of them in total by different units) on May 1, they are not at all in the picture! And the banner in the hands of the soldiers has nothing to do with the 150th Infantry Division - it was made from a tablecloth and brought by Yevgeny Khaldei himself.

On May 2, Yevgeny Khaldei arrived at the Reichstag with his banner and stopped several soldiers, asking them to help. Three of them helped him hoist the banner as high as was possible, given that the building was on fire. It was these soldiers who appeared in the picture - Alexei Kovalev (Ukraine), Abdulkhakim Ismailov (Dagestan) and Leonid Gorichev (Belarus). The photograph itself took on a life of its own - in the press it appeared as a reportage, not a staged one, and its heroes were given other names.

After the war, Yevgeny Khaldei continued to work as a photographer and participate in exhibitions. He was an excellent photojournalist, although the country and the world knew him, first of all, as the author of "that very photograph of the banner over the Reichstag."

In 1995, at the International Festival of Photojournalism, Evgeny Khaldei was awarded perhaps the most honorable award in the world of art - the title "Knight of the Order of Arts and Literature." Two years later, Evgeny Ananievich died.

Now Lilia Podkopayeva with her children, 11-year-old Vadim and 10-year-old Carolina, as well as her mother Lyudmila, live in Tampa, Florida. To my question, when does the athlete visit Ukraine, she answers: “We live in the States plus or minus six or seven months a year, although it happens in different ways. And it's been that way for 20 years. After the Atlanta Olympics, I was invited to master classes and motivational lectures to share success stories. The more time you spend there, the more offers I get, so I wander around the country. But I always return to Ukraine, because here is my home, my homeland.”

For many, adaptation in a foreign country is not easy. Tell me, what was the most difficult thing for you, what did you have to get used to in America?

In fact, everything was difficult. The American way of life is very different from ours. Life is different here - everything is much easier and simpler, but you also need to get used to this. When I first came to the States 20 years ago, it was hard to get used to the fact that a car is not a luxury, but a means of transportation (smiles). And if in big cities, such as New York and Chicago, there are subways and buses, and somewhere you can walk on foot, then in small ones like Tampa - only a car or a bicycle. This, of course, was annoying at first. And the banking system then generally shocked me, because we didn’t even know about such things that were considered common here: you don’t have to go to the cashier, but you can just write a check, send it, and everything was paid. At that time there was a very strong contrast with Ukraine.

That's how I got used to it gradually, slowly learned, developed. For me, everyday life has become a new stage of life. When you are an athlete, and you are constantly at the Olympic base, you go to competitions, you don’t think about how to book tickets, apply for visas, think over the route, who will cook the food, clean the room in the end, because everyone did it for us. We only thought about sports. Therefore, this moment had to be mastered. I remember I called my mother (there was no Skype then, the Internet was just beginning to develop) and asked how to cook this or that dish.

- And the easiest thing that you let into your life from the American lifestyle?

The easiest thing is convenience. Everything here is so convenient, thought out and comfortable! Everything is done for a person, starting from parking spaces and ending with the pricing policy - the availability of goods. It is customary here to wear new clothes every day, you cannot wear the same clothes two days in a row. Therefore, you get used to shopping very quickly. And to the fact that you have fruits and vegetables all year round. This has never happened before in Ukraine.

Service in the States highest level: if you have any questions, you call and they answer you with a smile. When I return to Ukraine, unfortunately, I see a difference: in the store, for example, we very often behave incorrectly with the buyer.

- Lil, how did you learn the language, did you hire a tutor?

I remember my first visit. I went to school, there are ESOL classes (English As a Second Language - “English as a second language.” - Approx. ed.). I went for three months, plus I tried to talk in the hall, the children laughed at me. At first, she couldn't speak at all. I sobbed because everything was very difficult. You can understand one word, but in combination with another it has a completely different meaning (for example: go - go, and already go on - continue). I translated each word separately, and I got some kind of rubbish in my head. When I read my first fiction book in English two years ago, I was very proud of myself. For an athlete, this is pleasant, because we are used to setting goals and achieving them since childhood.

We had a task: for two days we read a certain number of chapters, and then we came to school and discussed them with the teacher. This school has people from all over the world. If someone does not know something, they try to explain it to you, taking into account the peculiarities of your native language. The teacher said, "Don't worry, when you start reading the book, you'll understand only 30 percent at first, but by the end, on average, you'll understand 70 percent." It wasn't easy, but I had a lot of fun reading it.

- How do children learn? In which school?

Children go to public school. We live in a good area (here the area is determined by what school, what level it has). You can't drive to school from another area, it's very strict here. Therefore, people rent or buy apartments or houses near good schools to give children a good education. Americans do not spare money for this, they will move and change their place of residence (city, state) to get into a certain school if they see the potential of the child, see the opportunities and want to use them.

My children started learning English back in Ukraine at the Little America school. Then Vadim was four and a half years old, and Karolina was three and a half. The study of the language was carried out in game form. And when in our first year in the USA the children went to kindergarten, they felt quite comfortable, they did not have stress, they communicated quite easily in a group with their peers.

Now children are fluent in the language: every time they come to America, they are tested for the level of English proficiency. And recently, Vadim was awarded a commendable diploma as the best student of the school! I am very proud of him, he is a great fellow!

- Tell me, which subjects are easy for children, and which ones are difficult?

Vadim likes logic and mathematics. Carolina, on the contrary, loves language and literature, she likes to write stories. They are completely different, but that's probably the beauty of it. They are great with me, because they study in two programs. Beyond the American school curriculum, my mother also teaches children Ukrainian, so that when they return home, they can pass exams and keep up with their peers. Of course, it is very difficult, but we try. I convince them that in the future it will benefit them, because additional knowledge is always a plus. And knowing the approach to studying in Ukraine and the USA, they will better understand how everything works in this world.

Children, of course, are very busy, but I explain to them: if they want to achieve something, they have to work hard. The more they take now, the more they can get in the future. They sometimes resist, do not want, like all children, but basically they are great fellows. I'm proud of them (smiles).

- When children come to Ukraine, do they go to school or are they homeschooled?

Go to school. In addition, we take books in America and try to read them all while we are in Ukraine. There is an opportunity to study online and take subjects externally.

- Tell me, what are the interests of Vadim and Karolina now, in addition to studying?

Carolina loves to draw. Vadim is also a creative child, but he likes to play computer games. As for sports, we do swimming and tennis. Vadim is slowly mastering karate. We try to ensure that children have a harmonious development: both study and physical activity. For me, as a former athlete, this is very important. Like everyone else, we love to visit Disneyland with children, in igrolands, of which there are a lot, in water parks. On weekends we are always together, because in the middle of the week we don’t manage to devote much time to each other: we had breakfast together, fled in all directions and only had dinner in the evening.

How independent are your children? What is included in their responsibilities?

Children wash the dishes in turn: one day - Carolina, the other - Vadim. They also vacuum, clean up after themselves, do some laundry, help grandma with household chores. For example, they found out that washing a car costs money, and they suggested: “Mom, let's wash the car, and you will pay us.” I agreed: the children approached this very responsibly, tore the car to a shine. And we learned the lesson: if you want to earn money, you need to do your job efficiently. It made me happy.

What do you think it is necessary to instill from childhood, what to teach, what to tell, so that in the future the child becomes an independent and successful person?

Learn not to be afraid to work. Learn not to be afraid of difficulties. Learn to be human. These things need to be pawned from childhood. And, probably, we need to educate ourselves, because children look at us and absorb what they see, what happens every day. You can say anything, but how you do everything yourself is probably more important. Therefore, parents need to educate themselves if they want to raise wonderful children.

How close are Vadim and Karolina? Or they are now starting a period when they hang signs on the door of their room “Do not enter without knocking! Private area?

They are close like a normal brother and sister. At home, they, of course, sort things out, like any children. This is absolutely normal. Firstly, they grow up, their character changes, they do not want to show weakness or give in somewhere. Although I teach them: “Vadim, you, as a man, should be more lenient towards girls. This is your little sister. You understand that she is looking at you, how you behave. If you spoke sharply, she will remember and then she will repeat it in the same way.

I suggest to Carolina: “You are a girl, you are a lady. You must behave with dignity. Therefore, be wiser, smarter. Sometimes it’s better to remain silent, let emotions subside.” Of course, we rarely succeed, but we try, we learn (smiles). When they are somewhere outside the house, they stand like a mountain for each other. If I disagree with Vadim or Karolina in something, they will defend each other, try to persuade me.

Here Carolina recently pleased: while I was on a business trip, she fried the pancakes herself. And when I returned, I ask her: “Well, how are the pancakes? Tell me, probably, you just made the dough, and your grandmother was frying, "so Vadim:" No, mom, Karolina did everything herself! They are so delicious, you have to try!”

Children love each other and when they part, they are very sad. There is an older brother, there is a younger sister, everyone develops this feeling. I told Vadim: “You are our defender, you are our man. And we are girls, we need yours strong shoulder". And he understands it. Just like I say to Caroline: "This is your big brother, you should listen to him." They take care of each other, and as a mother, this pleases me.

- Do your children ask uncomfortable adult questions?

Of course they do (smiles). But if I don't want to answer, I diplomatically evade the answer. I learned this through various interviews (smiles). If there are any moments, I ask: “Do you know what this means? Would you like me to explain to you?" “No, mom, we all know already,” they answer. "Okay, but if you want to talk about it, we can discuss." Recently, my children and I discussed the issue of smoking, drugs, and how this adversely affects health. It seems to me that the children heard me and my arguments. One must not stray from these topics and not be afraid to say that they should think with their own heads. We won’t be able to spread a duvet cover for them everywhere, to lead them by the hand all their lives. I tell you that life is sometimes cruel and not everything is always rosy, as it seems in childhood, when we look at many things through rose-colored glasses.

- Where do children like to live more - in Ukraine or in the USA?

They like where mom is (smiles).

- Do they have friends?

Yes. I think there are more friends in Ukraine, given that in Kyiv they can move more on their own and go to visit. In America, they have friends who live near us. Children go to visit them overnight, this is often practiced here. Vadim is getting older and is already more attached to his friends, he understands more what friendship is. He is easy and sociable, quickly enough finds guys for communication. It pleases me. Carolina is more closed. She needs time to open up to a person. In general, here they are for me.

- Admit it, do you like to do household chores in the USA? Furnish a house? Or do you live with the whole family on suitcases?

I have “gypsy blood”: it mixed from the very moment I came to gymnastics and as soon as I started traveling around the former USSR (laughs). Therefore, when there is a lull and I don’t go anywhere for three or four months, I start to have a slight breakdown. In general, I live on suitcases, given that we have been in Ukraine for half a year, and in the USA for half a year. This is my nomadic life.

Of course, like any woman, I want to be cozy and comfortable, and I decorate the house as best I can with all sorts of little things that please the eye. On Friday, when I come home from work, and by that time the children have already finished their homework, we watch a movie together. Or, recently, they have “hooked” on the TV project “Eagle and Reshka”. We have favorite presenters - Lesya Nikityuk and Andrey Bednyakov. Children already have a plan: what countries they want to go to, what to see.

- Do you like to cook?

Our kitchen manager is my mother. She cooks borscht and soups for us, and I'm a salad specialist (laughs). Usually kids are skeptical about salads, but mine eat with great pleasure, especially Vadim. Of course, I tell the children about proper nutrition what is good to eat and what is not. But sometimes we want both french fries and some chips with cola. I work a lot, so my mom does most of the cooking. She often grills or bakes meat or fish in the oven. We eat a lot of fruits, since in America they are available in large quantities and variety all year round. We try to eat fruits before lunch, because they have a lot of sugar, and it is not very healthy. About a year and a half ago, I went for a consultation with nutritionist Natalia Samoylenko, not to lose weight (I'm fine with my weight), but to learn how to eat right. So, my nutritionist recommends that carbohydrates be before dinner, and proteins after. And no red vegetables and fruits in the afternoon, because they have a lot of sugar! We try to adhere to these rules of nutrition. I can cook everything, but I won’t say that I love doing it, because when I cook, I immediately want to eat (laughs). And in order not to gain weight, I go in for sports three times a week. I wrote the program for myself physical activity: running four kilometers, then a warm-up and exercises for the press, legs, upper shoulder girdle. Women mostly problem areas- waist, butt, legs, so I focus on warming up on these parts of the body.

- What do you not allow children to eat?

They crave sweets just like everyone else. At one time we ate breakfast cereals that you fill with milk, and it turns out that they contain a huge amount of sugar. When there is so much sugar on an empty stomach, there is a crazy release of insulin. I am not against sweets, but they should be eaten at certain times and in small quantities. Once I read an article to the children about the dangers of sugar and I say: “You see, my grandmother measures the level of sugar in the blood every day by piercing her finger. You don't want the same, do you?" You can't eat whatever you want. There was such a case funny, the children were still small then. We have a rule: sweets can be only once a week. And so we are all driving together in the car, and my friend says: “Children, do you want candy?” They look at her, then at me and say: “No, we only have candy on Fridays.” It sounded, on the one hand, funny, and on the other hand, it sounded terrible, as if my mother was some kind of Cerberus who only allows candy on Fridays. Of course, chips, sweet carbonated drinks, and some snacks are banned here. Instead, I offer them dried apricots, prunes, raisins, cranberries. We have now found a replacement for sweets - these are gozinaki. There is very little sugar, mostly nuts (almonds, hazelnuts), seeds, some honey and salt. Children eat sweets anyway. It is completely impossible to exclude them. Yes, and when we go to the park, we can’t refuse to eat delicious ice cream, but this is only once a week (smiles).

- Lilya, what is not customary in your family to spend a lot of money, but what, on the contrary, is not a pity for money?

I do not feel sorry for investments in education, training, in the harmonious development of children. Vadim and Karolina are absolutely indifferent to clothes: they have everything they need. I teach that you can look stylish and fashionable without spending a lot of money. What now, for example, bad manners, when everything is in brands. For children, I do not think it is right to buy expensive things. They should not be afraid to run, fall, sit on the floor, like all Americans, and not think about how not to ruin a new suit. Of course, kids have things to go out of, but here in America there is no such thing as expensive clothes. They generally have everything available. Therefore, casual clothing is very relevant to make it convenient and comfortable at school. They have physical education, but the children do not change clothes for the lesson, as is customary with us. What they came in is what they do. Therefore, there is a rule for girls: if this is a skirt, then under it there must be shorts so that the children can tumble, not be afraid, not shy and feel comfortable.

- Tell me what you did to treat yourself in last time? Maybe it's a massage, an expensive dress, a cruise...

My friend and I periodically go shopping, but we talk more, drink a glass of wine, sit down to chat, see some new items. If I know that I will have an event, then I go and buy an outfit for it. Now many people rent an outfit for a party. In Kyiv, I turn to stylists for help, they select dresses for me.

I lead an active life, so for me the most comfortable thing is trousers, jeans. Jeans are my love, I have a lot of them. They even send me jeans specially from Ukraine of some young brands. I love that they have some kind of zest, so that they stand out with something. Comfortable shoes for me are sneakers. Now this is very relevant. They are worn under dresses and skirts. When you get older, you focus more on comfort, taking into account your own rhythm of life. I can't say that I love shopping. When you get older, you already clearly know what you need. I came, I saw, I bought - it's about me. And before, I could go shopping for hours (smiles).

Irina Pikulya

A native of Donetsk, Liliya Podkopayeva was brought up in a female environment - by her mother and grandmother. Despite the absence of men in the house, she grew up purposeful and hardy.

Grade

Profession: gymnast
Date of Birth: August 15, 1978
Height and weight: 162 cm. 48 kg.
Place of Birth: Donetsk, Ukraine
Best works:"Golden Lily"
Awards: World Artistic Gymnastics Champion
Social network: Facebook , Instagram

Lilya began to engage in sports from early childhood, preferring such a form as artistic gymnastics. From the age of five, little Podkopayeva stubbornly walked towards her goal, training daily and three times a day. Thanks to hard work and perseverance, Lilia Podkopayeva has established herself as a very promising athlete.

In 1996, already by that time an honored master of sports, she went from Ukraine to the XXVI Olympic Games in Atlanta, where she managed to win two gold medals at once - in the absolute championship and floor exercises. One of its elements is a "double forward somersault with a 180-degree turn" - until now, none of the athletes can repeat, including men.

A year later, the Ukrainian gymnast won the European Artistic Gymnastics Cup, and a year later she became the European Artistic Gymnastics Champion. She took part in more than one competition and almost always became the winner. In total, Podkopayeva has 45 gold, 21 silver and 14 bronze medals - and this is only at international competitions, not to mention national championships.

In 2001, Lilia Podkopayeva graduated with honors from the Kyiv Institute of Physical Education with a degree in coach-teacher. And a year later, in 2002, she entered the Donetsk State University of Management at the Faculty of Management.

Also Olympic champion founded and headed the International Charitable Foundation "Health of Generations". She organized the sports festival "Golden Lily", which takes place annually in Kyiv.

In 2004, Lilia Podkopayeva became the Council of Europe's National Ambassador for Sports, Tolerance and Fair Play. And in 2005, she assumed the obligations of the UN Goodwill Ambassador for AIDS. In 2007, she received the UN award for the fight against HIV and AIDS.

Now the athlete leads a secular lifestyle and is actively involved in charitable activities. She often appears on the pages of fashion magazines and in various television projects. In 2006, Lilia won the Ukrainian version of the Dancing with the Stars project, and two years later, together with Sergey Kostetsky, she represented Ukraine at the Eurovision Dance Contest 2008, where they took third place.

After graduating sports career, Lilia organized her own sportswear business in the USA and set about creating a network of gymnastic schools in the Donetsk region.

Personal life

She was married to Donetsk businessman Timofey Nagorny, with whom in 2006 they adopted an 8-month-old orphan named Vadik. At the end of that year, the couple had a daughter, Carolina.

Interesting Facts

In 2006 she won the Ukrainian version of the project "Dancing with the Stars"

Together with Sergey Kostetsky in 2008 she represented Ukraine at the Eurovision Dance Contest 2008, where they took third place

In 2011, she became one of the hosts of the sports and entertainment show "I'm a Hero!"

Her best friend is the singer Ani Lorak, who is also the godmother of her daughter Karolina

In 2005 she became the UN Goodwill Ambassador for AIDS

In 2007, in the national program "Person of the Year" she was recognized as "Woman of the Year"

39-year-old Ukrainian gymnast and Olympic champion Lilia Podkopayeva is getting married for the third time. An offer of a hand and heart was made to her by an American businessman (investment and development) Igor Dubinsky.

Podkopayeva and Dubinsky, photo: viva.ua

Note that Podkopayeva for a long time lives with children in the USA. It was in America at one of the parties that she met Igor, who has been living in Atlanta for the past 25 years, according to Viva!

The athlete herself considers this city special, because here she received two Olympic gold and met love there.

“Now I can say that Atlanta is my golden and expensive, and to what extent fateful. It was a dinner with friends, you never know where you will meet your fate,” Lilia recalled in the “Secular Life” program.

In turn, the future husband of the Olympic champion said that he made an offer to Podkopayeva, to which he received a positive response. Interestingly, he chose a special place for this - in Lilia's own gym.

"A classic proposal was made with a ring, which received a positive response. In the future, we have everything planned, but we do not want to tell everything yet," he said.

"If I'm a gymnast, where was the explanation? gym, Yes. When I opened the box and saw the ring, my ears are burning, my cheeks are burning, my eyes are shining. Not because that's the ring. And from the very understanding that changes are taking place in life, - Podkopayeva admitted.

According to the Honored Master of Sports, the children took Igor very well and this is the most important thing for her.

The couple flew to Kyiv for a few days, photo: viva.ua

The couple plans to play their wedding only together and on a desert island. Lilia Podkopayeva wants to do something quiet and exclusive only for themselves.

Note that Lily has already been married twice. In 2004, she married businessman Timofey Nagorny, whom she divorced in 2009. From this marriage there is a 12-year-old son Vadim, whom Podkopayeva and Nagorny adopted, and an 11-year-old daughter Karolina. In 2012, the gymnast tied the knot with businessman Viktor Kostyrko.