Interview Transcription:
We’ll start by
talking about how you got started in gymnastics.
I started gymnastics when I was six years old. I was chosen
from a kindergarten back then from my coaches-- my original coaches which were Viktor Dikii
and Tamila Evdokimova. And from that day when I was chosen I was interested in
gymnastics and I think with my progression and the skills that I was learning
or when I was observing the gymnastics-- I was drawn to it.
At what age did you
realize you had the potential to make it to the Olympics?
[Laughs] I think it’s hard to say when I was an athlete when I had potential. I think my coach
detected that I did have the potential and even talking to them right now, they
say that I was the jewel, I was the jewel in their career and you know, it takes two to tango.
Their dream and my dream combined together and we had a successful career. All
ten years that I was competing, it was very successful.
You moved away from
home to train at Round Lake, was it hard to leave your family behind?
Yes it was. At times I was devastated because I was a little
girl and at ten years old to move away--far away from your family, parents, sisters
and relatives; it was a little bit hard. I was just following my dream. I
didn’t know how far my dream would take me, but I was following it. It was
tremendous hard work. I mean, we would start practicing at 8:00am and would finish
sometimes at 10:00pm, but now I understand the cause. The victory of every
single competition that I went to—that is priceless! So you forget about the
hard training, you forget about the blisters, you forget about the sweat. The
priceless time was when you go to a competition and you’re completing your
routines and when you’re standing on the podium—that’s what it’s all about—to
be proud of yourself and all the hard training that you have done. Finally the
achievement of being rewarded for that were absolutely outstanding feelings.
What was it like
training at Round Lake? How many girls did you train with and were you close
with them?
It depends which time you take. Before I was chosen,
actually my coach fought for me to
have a chance to be on the national team. First you have to qualify to the junior
national team and if you do really good all year round—and not just one
year—if you complete the whole process
of training that goes on in Round Lake and then competitions, you might have a
chance to be there. I know for a fact that my two coaches fought for me to be
there, just to give me that chance. I remember it was 1988 and the girls just
came from the Seoul Olympic Games and my coach fought for me just to try out! I
was there for I think September, October, and November—for those three months
we had to actually pay from our pocket to be there. So it was challenging for
me, it was challenging for them, but I did prove that I deserve to be there—I deserved
to be on the national team. In 1989 we actually got invited for the training at
Round Lake starting in January.
Do you keep in
contact with any of your former teammates or coaches?
I keep in contact with my original coaches every month. With
some of the athletes that I grew up with in my hometown of Odessa—I still keep
in touch—they are in different parts of the world. With my [Olympic] teammates,
some of them I keep in touch with and some of them not.
Going into the 1992
Olympics, what was your overall feeling? Were you well prepared, excited,
nervous or a little bit of everything?
[Laughs] It’s a little bit of everything. That particular
question I always get from kids when I do my appearances at schools or when I’m
at events, whether it’s a child or an adult, they ask me that question. It’s a
little bit of everything. I think I was very prepared. I was prepared all my whole
life, I know that for a fact because I was four years old watching the Olympics
on TV and telling my parents, “I’m going to be there.” And my parents said,
“Okay, then you should relax.” [Laughs] But
who would have known and actually I did achieve that! In school [when the
teacher asked “who do you want to be?] I wrote a whole story about who I’m
going to be and how I’m going to be. In a child’s state of mind at seven or
eight years old, I already knew who I wanted to be. And actually I got a C+
because I wrote I wanted to be Olympic Champion. [Laughs] It is a little bit
funny to go back to that because on one side [you have] the coaches who were guiding
me all my life to get to the top and then the teachers thinking, ‘oh just a
naive little girl who is not sure.’
Can you talk about
the team competition and getting your first Olympic gold medal?
It felt like I was flying. We were standing out there and of
course there was six of us experiencing the same feelings but I will talk about
myself. It felt like I was lifted off the ground. The atmosphere from the
people cheering for you and saying, “Bravo” or “Good job,” you can feel the
vibe! It’s almost like you’re listening to music and you’re standing closer to
the sound and you can feel that vibe. Some music is great and can lift you up
and some music is not, but that was just the right chemistry with everything.
It was beautiful. It would probably be the same question if I asked you, “Do
you believe in magic?” It’s exactly the same thing.
During the team completion
you fell from the balance beam and your teammate Roza Gailyeva qualified to the
all-around ahead of you. Ultimately you were given a second chance when the
coaches forced her to claim an injury. How did you feel in that moment?
I took that very professionally. I didn’t understand the
second chance back then—I do understand the second chance now. I do believe
that people deserve second chances and I think I did everything that I could to
bring my county up proudly, not just USSR--because it was the last moment we
competed as USSR and in fact we put the logo for USSR on [our leotard]…it was a
team decision to do that, but to be the first Ukrainian girl who rose the flag
and the anthem and to have the gold. It was an outstanding moment truly because
I think I’m a hero to so many little girls who are very proud of that.
Were you and Roza on
good terms following that incident?
We never spoke about that. Being a child and having an adult
make that decision—to make a professional decision—It’s not just ‘okay
whatever, you’re going to compete.’ It was a professional decision and I think
they made the right decision and I will stand by those words. I will stand by
what I have achieved and what I have done because of all the hard training and
the hours and the nights and the traveling and giving up [so much]…it was a
well-deserved Olympic gold.
Can you describe that
moment you saw your name on top of the scoreboard and realized you had won?
I didn’t! I didn’t know. It was hard to believe. During the competition I knew the routines
had been done many many times, we’re not talking about hundreds or one
thousand, we’re talking about thousands
of times where the skills were repeated over and over again, so you master the
move. And it’s not just the skills, it’s the preparation and how you step out
on the floor and how you present yourself. Honestly, I didn’t know that I had
won. I went and I did my best but I didn’t know that I was that close. To hear
my name ‘Tatiana Gustu’…I still have goosebumps when I look on YouTube at my
performance. It was amazing!
How did your country
react to your success?
When we came back to Ukraine, we were celebrated with the
president of Ukraine [and he] gave us the most beautiful presents so we could actually
go on with our lives. Because we did such a tremendous job and hard work for
our country, our country rewarded us back. I was driving a brand new Ukrainian
car and it was great! Actually seeing the president and warm wishes and
congratulations [from him]…it was very nice. You know, I was fifteen years old
and he’s the ruler of the Ukraine. [Laughs] It’s nice to be recognized for
something that you do for your country. I know that I was put in the Ukrainian
history book so kids from 8th grade to 12th grade will
know their heroes. In my hometown of Odessa we celebrated. I had a whole band
waiting for me to appear from the train and there were flowers from strangers and kids. It
was beautiful, it was truly beautiful to see that I wasn’t alone out there
doing that. It was pleasant to see that the whole country was actually cheering
for me. And still know when I go home, people say “Hello, it’s very nice to see
you.” It’s very good to give the knowledge back now to kids or to the people.
Can you talk about
the fall of the Soviet Union and how that affected you?
You know, it’s hard to say how it did affect me. I wanted to
continue with gymnastics and for a young athlete just being on top of the world
and winning the biggest and most prestigious award in my career, it was a
little bit hard for me because at that point I didn’t know which direction to
go—although I did have my coaches by my side. You know, sometimes I look back
even with Nadia Comaneci [who] made history in her sports career when she won
the 1976 Olympic Games and then some of the competitions after the Olympics—it
wasn’t that great. It’s not because we lost our mastership or something in
gymnastics, it’s because you put so much energy into it—it’s like athlete
energy plus the universe, coaches and positive surroundings. For me, I felt
like I accomplished everything in 1992. I felt like I accomplished everything
that I could—and I did. And I stopped. I stopped for that reason because I
didn’t have to prove anything to anybody because I had already achieved that
award.
Besides for the
Olympics, what were some of the other highlights of your gymnastics career?
My proudest moment in gymnastics was I think every
competition that I went to. I have not taken [it] for granted because every single
competition or every single country that I went to, I gave all my best. I’m not
talking 100%, it’s a trillion or billion percent of what you love to do. When
you love what you do, you give it your all. It’s not just the energy, it’s the
soul, it’s the heart, and everything that you got. I would say that I’m very
proud of every single competition that I went to from my very first one to my
very last one.
You were known for
having very difficult skills, was that something that came natural to you?
That…I have to say credit to my coach because he was
bringing the ideas of what we could try and we tried everything! Everything
that’s out there—I’m not comparing to gymnastics now—although some of the
skills we were working on, it was just not ready to put it in. Like double
layout with a full twist—we were working on that or a triple tuck—we were
working on that too. It was just not meant to be to put it there. That’s why
the unique [combination] of athlete and coach just came together like a puzzle.
We were exploring to see what the options are out there. We were taking one
step at a time but it was adventurous because, yes I was scared and terrified,
yet it was exciting because I knew that I was the only one that was working on
those skills. Not just at Round Lake, but there was other centers in Moscow
that I worked and I had seen my competitors and the girls who were working on
the harder skills and I wanted to do better. I think that’s why we discovered
some of the skills that had never been out there. I know that in the
international category, I was the first one to do the full twist standing on
the balance beam. Same as a very attractive element—a double layout
split out. I know some of the girls tried to do it 1996 or 2000 off the bars and
it was kind of faded out, but yes—the original—it was me who did that.
Can you talk about
your teammate from the 1992 Olympics, Oksana Chusovitina who is going for her 7th
Olympics. Is that weird for you to see somebody who you competed with still
competing?
It’s not weird at all. You know, she’s a very strong minded
girl and I seen her when I training with her, I seen that. It’s something very unique
and special about that girl and athlete. I am ecstatic to see her out there
because she’s simply phenomenal.
Come you talk about
what inspired you to make your own comeback in 2003?
I think I missed it. I missed the competing and I missed
[the feeling of performing]. I think I was drawn to the feelings because the
adrenaline is crazy when you actually go and perform from the moment you’re
raising your hand. There’s so much focus out there as an athlete to make sure
that you perform and do everything well, so I think I missed that. When I started
training I think I just didn’t have the right components of support to continue
[my comeback]. After several months I actually stopped [training] and the
missing went away. I think with that, my passion to coaching went much higher
than it was. I’m appreciative of that time because I think I needed that. With
not proper support or guidance as an athlete you can be misled.
After having spent so
much of your life in the gym, was it hard to finally retire?
Not anymore. I think when I was going through my teenage
years and discovering a new country, it put my thoughts back. When I came to
the United States I was seventeen years old and I had to learn English and I
had to explore the life—just everyday life—or how to communicate, so it kind of
took me back. I appreciate that time. I don’t miss it, I wouldn’t change
anything. I think everything happens for a good reason and my reason was that.
Can you talk about
your journey to the United States and how you eventually settled here in
Michigan?
Well I was invited here in 1994 with my coaches who came here
to help some people open a club. I think I was on the peak of the teenage years
and I wanted to explore because the first time I came to the United States was
back in 1990 and I just simply fell in love and said “Okay, one day I’m going
to be here.” Soon enough, in 1994 we were invited here and then I kind of went
to find my journey. I worked for many prestigious clubs and companies—not just
gymnastics, but I worked with cheer and dance companies. I wanted to explore
myself and see where I could find me. It’s good to have a background with the
Olympics, Worlds, and European Championships on my resume, but what about me as
an individual? What do I do? How do I
find what I love to do? I started coaching here and there and I finally found
my passion. My job is the best job in the world, I work with kids! I can share
my knowledge not just with kids but with parents. I get so many questions every
single day, “how was that?” or “how did you feel when you went there?” It’s
priceless. I am more than open to wanting to give that information because you
never know, I have my athletes and my youngsters and every practice they say, “I
want to go to the Olympics.” I am here, I am here to guide you there. I don’t
know, I don’t have a magic ball, I cannot see the future. All I know is that if
I work hard and with the right guidance for the youngsters and their future—I
am here.
Do you still follow
the sport at the elite level or college? Do you go to any competitions?
Yes. We started going to the Big M [University of Michigan]
competitions more this year. I just wanted to see the difference from
the elite level competition and college level competition. When our team is
traveling, it’s one standard competition, but to see elite or college, it’s an absolutely
different atmosphere. And the college atmosphere is absolutely outstanding! I
went and I was like, “Wow!” [Laughs] I was sitting there like, “Big 10 for
everyone!” [Laughs] It’s good to explore something. So I’m not just having the mindset
for elite. You have to see everything and you have to explore and open your
mind to everything that’s out there. Although gymnastics is my life—I live, I breathe,
I eat, and everything is about gymnastics—but there is exploring of other
sports.
So for the Olympics
coming up, who are you cheering for?
I’m not choosing sides! Whoever is going to go there and
whoever is competing, best of luck! It’s a once in a lifetime experience and if
they can enjoy that time—go for it. Because who knows, maybe it’s going to be their first or maybe it’s going to be their seventh.
What have you been up
to lately?
Well my company has been open for six months now and I’m
thrilled about that. I can’t be more ecstatic—this is my dream and this was my
goal! I completed my goal and now it’s going to be a new set of goals. This year we’re starting from
level 1 to level 4 and I think it’s going to give us time and ability to build the empire
of Tatiana Gutsu Gymnastics Academy. We have great talented kids coming in and
I’m more than happy because I am the head coach and the owner of the company. I
absolutely love every single minute that I am here because I’m here at 7am and
I leave at 10pm. But it’s mine and I have to nourish it because every little
seed that you plant needs nourishment—and I need to nourish my little seed.
What advice would you
give to young gymnast who want to be like you someday?
Follow your dreams and don’t be afraid. Even sometimes when they’re
learning new skills it’s terrifying, but you have to find that bravery inside
of you. Don’t be afraid to try new things. Don’t be afraid to challenge
yourself because that’s when your gong to master the skills to be the best.
