20-year-old Evgenia Kuznetsova was one of the most experienced gymnasts competing in Ghent. A junior prodigy, Kuznetsova looked to be set for instant stardom after a winning streak in 1995. She represented Russia in three world championships (1995, 1997, 1999) and was an Olympian in 1996. Perhaps her finest hour came in 1998 when she won the European beam title in front her home crowd in St. Petersburg. Despite her accolades, Evgenia was not often given the chance to prove herself individually, but became indispensable as a team player.

Last year, she was selected for the Olympic training squad but did not even travel to Australia with the team for the Russians' pre-Olympic training camp. Instead, she went home to St. Petersburg to think. She knew she still wasn't finished with gymnastics and competed at the Siska International in Slovenia, which she won. By that time, she was already looking at other countries that might let her compete under their flag. "I received an invitation to represent Bulgaria and I accepted."

Speaking after the AA competition, Evgenia had some regrets about her performance, but not about the choice she made. " I'm a bit sad my competition here didn't go as well as I had hoped but I know if I had stayed in Russia, I wouldn't be here at all", she says with a laugh but without a hint of bitterness. "This was my first big competition for Bulgaria, but I don't feel alone there. I feel I have a team and I'm part of it. The girls all support me a lot. I don't feel worse than in Russia, maybe even better."

Kuznetsova is now living in the Bulgarian capital of Sofia full time at a sports hotel, very close to the gym she trains in. "They did it up for me, and have promised me a flat after the world championships." Her family has remained in St. Petersburg and she copes well without them. "I am used to being away from them for a long time from my time at Round Lake, so it really isn't that new. Besides, I just had my mom stay with me for two weeks. The girls from the Russian team were asking me: "Are you going home after worlds?" But apart from seeing my parents, there is nothing for me there."

The nimble Kuznetsova has not only switched countries, but coaches as well. Her long time coach Alexander Kiriyashov continues to work in St. Petersburg while Evgenia is now being guided by Bulgarian head coach Georgi Videnov. It's new ground for Videnov too: "He used to coach men's gymnastics and only came to women's gymnastics a while ago. So, together I hope we can create something good."

With a new country, comes a new language and Kuznetsova is quick to admit her knowledge of Bulgarian is not perfect. "In the beginning, I didn't understand anything. But things got better. Now, I understand almost everything and am trying to speak myself, but sometimes I'm a bit shy about that."

Nora Schuler