Diana Kanaeva: "Our goal is to win an Olympic medal"

Russia W forward Diana Kanaeva:

- I have played with the national team since 2015, competing in a wide range of tournaments. However, I feel a bit nervous before the Olympic Games, it's the peak of any sportsman's career. There is a great atmosphere within the team, everyone is working with the right attitude. All of the girls are practically the same age. It doesn't matter if you play for Dynamo, Tornado or Agidel, our dream is to win an Olympic medal.

- How did you begin playing ice hockey?

- I was involved in gymnastics when my family moved to Moscow from Podolsk. However, I asked my parents to take me away from that sport, I didn't enjoy it. Who knows, maybe I would have become an Olympic champion in gymnastics. Nevertheless, I don't regret choosing ice hockey at all, I like it a lot more. There is a good ice hockey academy in Podolsk, I remember when there was a decision between either ice hockey or figure skating. I asked my mother to enquire about joining an ice hockey school. After playing in Podolsk, I joined a club in Odintsovo. I joined the Kometa professional team. Nadezhda Morozova and I then signed for Dynamo. I really enjoy living in Saint Petersburg, but I needed time to adjust to the weather. 

- Do your parents have anything to do with sport?

- My father is a cyclist, while my mother played handball. 

- How do you spend your free time?

- I am studying to become an ice hockey coach. When there are breaks in the Women's Hockey League, I like to focus on my studies. I like to go to the theatre and museums, trying to understand Saint Petersburg more. During the summer, I always go to Moscow. I have been living on my own since fourteen years old when I played in Odintsovo, I'm used to it and feel independent.

- Your ideal holiday?

- Relaxing on the beach. When I go on holiday, I think about looking around the city, but I end up staying on the beach. Because of the tough season, I like to simply rest and gain strength

- Do you go ice skating with your family and friends sometimes?

- Yes, my friends ask me to teach them how to skate sometimes. I help them. However, I haven't had time this winter.

- Are the majority of your friends from ice hockey?

- Overall, yes. I don't see my friends from outside the sport that often. Sometimes, people get offended when I don't have time to reply or see them. 

- How is this training camp going?

- Everything's fine. It's tough physically because we train twice a day, but this was to be expected. Soon, we will be in peak shape.

- What's your goal for the 2018 Olympic Games?

- The main thing is the team. I want to help the others with my performances, it will be great if we win a medal. 

Russian Ice Hockey Federation