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 "I'm really happy about the opportunity
to take part in Neshka's show," Elena explains, "the
show combines various different elements like Bulgarian
folk dances, acrobatics and even breakdance. I liked it
a lot, there is a great atmosphere in the team. Neshka has
changed a lot herself. When she was still in gymnastics,
she was so strict. She is a completely different person
in the show." Elena recently spent time in the Bulgarian
capital Sofia training for her role of the show's heroine
Yana. "Two Worlds" is due to tour the USA in November.
 Back home, Vitrichenko has another major
project underway - the opening of her own school. Though
still in its initial stages, the school already has accepted
its first pupils, who train on the premises of the University
of Physical Culture and Sports. "We take any child
into our school. Anybody who wants to train, can come,"
Elena outlines her training philosophy. "I think, you
can do gymnastics and still become beautiful, even if you
don't have huge success."
 So far her pupils all hail from Kiev.
"At the moment, we haven't got the facilities to take
external students or boarders, but I would like to."
In the long run, she wouldn't rule out taking on foreign
students. "I had a letter from a group of kids from
Norway and even one from Canada. But before they come, everything
has to be ready." The gym is being refurbished to offer
better training conditions.
 Nina Vitrichenko, who coached her daughter
throughout her career, is currently working in Spain and
attended the recent Berlin World Cup with her young charge
Jennifer Colino. But Nina Vitrichenko has plans to return
to Kiev to take the reins as head coach at her daughter's
school. "She didn't have anywhere to work in Kiev,
so the offer from Spain was a great opportunity", Elena
says.
 The 1997 World champion had been a fan
favourite all through her career, but her popularity got
another boost following last year's turbulent European championships
in Saragossa, Spain. After qualifications, Elena found herself
in 19th place and withdrew from the competition in protest.
Six judges, among them fellow Ukrainian Irina Deryugina,
were reprimanded and banned from judging the Olympic Games.
Over a year later Vitrichenko says her relationship with
the Deryugina camp is "alright". Time has passed,
I have left the sport, and we aren't in competition with
each other now. So I don't really disturb them."
Indeed, Elena Vitrichenko isn't disturbing anybody as she
looks to the future.
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