Ukrainian rhythmic gymnastics coach Irina Deryugina stated that the introduction of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin to gymnast Alina Kabaeva likely occurred with the involvement of their mentor. She revealed this in an interview with Dmytro Gordon.
Irina Deryugina on the acquaintance between Putin and Kabaeva
Responding to the host's question, Deryugina noted that she was not personally a witness to this story and does not consider it a matter of her personal interest. At the same time, she suggested that a key role could have been played by Irina Wiener.
«This question is not for me. It's for Wiener. Probably, she was the one who introduced them,» — Deryugina said, adding that «Wiener's mother introduced everyone». The coach emphasized that she does not want to delve into this topic and considers it foreign to her.
Kabaeva and Putin: Deryugina's reaction and the behind-the-scenes of sports
Talking about Putin, Deryugina emotionally emphasized that she has never seen him in person and has no desire to do so. She sharply expressed her opinion regarding the figure of the Russian president and requested to change the subject of conversation.
The coach also confirmed that in Soviet and Russian sports, it was a common phenomenon for wealthy men to try to get close to famous gymnasts. According to her, each athlete made their own choice, and coaches could not control personal lives outside the gym.
Deryugina added that she has never used her appearance for career advantages and has always focused on the development of rhythmic gymnastics and the organization of competitions, including international level events in Ukraine.
Let us remind you that Ukrainian journalist Dmytro Gordon reacted sharply to accusations regarding his involvement in promoting the so-called "golden pyramid" - a device that was advertised in the 1990s as a "medical device". The journalist believes that this story is a Russian "setup" organized by Kremlin agents.