On Monday, her interview was aired on TV.
As I heard she was going to talk about her trauma, I was wondering how it would be like. Because when I read about her book last year, I thought she still seemed insecure. Watching the interview, she was very calm and looked she got over her pain. While continuing skating, she might be ready to make a move to a second career.
In that case, it would be really good for her. We are going to miss her though.
Interview with Miki Ando (July 11, 2011)
6:10-
-After she finished 15th at the 2006 Turin Olympic, people started to criticize her. That was cruel enough for an 18-year-old women to experience trauma.
"When I was a child, I used to go to an ice skate rink just because I loved to skate so much. Competitions were exciting events, too. But I became so conscious about how people thought about me as I was getting older. I knew I shouldn't, but I was unable to trust someone. I was very cautious about other people. I got to be scared thinking if I had't done well, they would have criticized me again. And there were many bashing and negative opinions about me. I was afraid, I had to see those would be repeated as I continued to skate. I think that kind of thought was my major trauma."
-She was 5th place at the 2010 Olympic. She could compete there in the best way possible. This time the Olympic helped her to be released from trauma.
Now what changed her mind?
"At the Vancouver OP, I was able to satisfy with my performances doing my best.
Then, when I focused on how to improve my skating style and skills, I found I should skate with a joy. I thought I could skate like my childhood. That is, I do skate because it is what I love."
-Are you having fun when you skate now?
"Yes. I want to skate everyday. But I don't want to make it as my task. I mean, going to an ice skate rink and doing practice are not my routine work. When I want to skate, it's a right time to do practice."
Imagine, she was getting bashing even though she performed like this.
SP:Scheherazade(2006-2007 Season)