Denis Ten: I'm definitely going for gold at next Olympics
You've made Kazakhstan figure skating history, but it's been a long time coming. How do you estimate your results at the Sochi Olympics? Well, one can always do better. I believe I did a pretty good job at the Sochi Olympics. I would say that if you compare my performances at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships in London last year and in Sochi last week, they were totally different. Many fans expected me to show more emotions. But one has to bear in mind that the Olympic Games were a whole new ball game and I had complications to overcome. But I managed to pull myself together and became the Olympics bronze medalist. This is, of course, a tremendous achievement for me and my country. As a silver medalist of the world championship, you are definitely slated for success at the Olympic Games. At the start of the season I did plan to be in the top 3 in Sochi, but I faced hardships on my path to the Olympic pedestal. Multiple traumatic injuries forced me to miss a lot of training sessions. Plus, the competition in Sochi was very tough. At least 15 figure skaters deserved a place on the podium. After the short program event I was ranked 9th, but I still hoped I would be able to win a medal. My goal was to do my best, to skate flawlessly. And I think I achieved that. What was your reaction to Evgeni Plushenko's decision to withdraw from the competition? I was totally surprised by the news when I found out. I watched Plushenko compete in the team figure skating event and I was blown away. After so many surgeries and difficulties this man continues to stun with the level of his performance. Did you like it in Sochi? What about the level of organization? Everybody seems to be really impressed. I mean, the Olympic facilities in Sochi are beyond words. I would like to praise the level of organization as well. I really hope that Almaty will win the right to host the Winter Olympic Games in 2022 and will be able to organize everything as well as the Russians did. We all know Kazakhstan excels in hosting high-profile sport events. In case Almaty wins, the entire world will get a chance to experience Kazakh hospitality, traditions and culture. Tell us about your future plans. Do you plan to win an Olympic gold medal? In the world of figure skating it is hard to predict anything. But I will work hard. It is a lifelong ambition for every athlete to win gold. Presently, Kazakhstan provides all conditions for the development of figure skating: high quality skating rinks, training sessions. I am sure other figure skaters from Kazakhstan will demonstrate stunning results in the future. With a bit of luck, Kazakhstan may contest in the team figure skating event at the next Winter Olympics. Of course, I dream of gold. Given the right training and a professional coach, I hope the judges will do justice to my performance at the figure skating tournaments. By the way, who do you plan to invite to your ice show "Denis Ten and friends" this year? The show was extremely successful last year. We had two shows in two cities and both were sold out. I haven't given much thought to the show so far as I am still to give an exhibition performance in Sochi. Maybe, I will think about it later. A lot of things have to be taken into account, since athletes have a tight schedule. I hope this year the event will be even more grandiose, that we will be able to invite more Kazakhstani figure skaters. We'll see. One last thing, what would like to tell your fans? I would like to take this opportunity to say a million thank yous. My Twitter and Facebook pages are full of support and congratulations. I am glad to see that my hard work is paying off! People appreciate everything that I do. I took time to wholeheartedly thank my fans in a letter I posted both in English and Russian, to encourage people to be more positive and move forward. Thank you, Denis!