Aleksandra Timoshenko entered the hall of Albina Nikolayevna Deriugina far in 1980. Her parents brought her to the club of artistic gymnastics at first, but she was so puny, thin, though tall and that is why coaches advised Sasha to become a rhythmic gymnast. The first thing that Albina Nikolayevna remembers about their first meet are the eyes of Sasha. Huge, unfathomable eyes...Many years after the whole world will be fascinated by this warm and sincere gaze, but then the Coach from the capital letter saw that Aleksandra is genuinely eager to train in the school of gymnastics. “If you want to achieve something, you should not be lazy,” – Albina Nikolayevna told the growing gymnast then. And this phrase became her motto: to work and once more work. Timoshenko differed sharply from the others by her combination of fragility and perfect physical preparation. And even more – she did not leave the gym, not having finished working on a new element or not having polished apparatus work. “It was a big pleasure to work with Sasha. – admits Albina Deriugina. Energetic, she was always working without a hitch. She never stopped and was walking to her aim without any hesitations.” We saw one Timoshenko on the carpet, but she was not worse in life. Opened, modest, Aleksandra was not envious, she tried to help everybody.

It is interesting that Timoshenko was still very young when she was competing on her first Olimpic Games. In 1987 she competed on her first major competition: Junior Europeaan Championship, even then the great potential of this gymnast was seen very well. Only a year after, at the age of 16 she has already had a great responsibility laid on her shoulders: she could not let the huge country down, as well as her coaches, Irina and Albina Deriugina. Even then she was much better than all her rivals. An absurd mistake in the clubs routine, when after the mill series the club dropped out of her hand, cost her a gold medal. And then, while standing on the 3^rd place of the award podium, she promised herself to do everything she can so that in Barcelona she was standing on the 1^st place.

Specialists were talking about her not as a perspective gymnast, but already as a mature one. “Have you seen Timoshenko? And now get ready to listening to the Soviet anthem for 4 years,” – that is how she excited with her ability to create unforgettable characters on the carpet. “Everything in one gymnast. That is how Sasha can be described in 4 words, “ – remembers Irina Deriugina.

4 years passed in the victories, rivalry on the carpet and friendship in life with her friend Oksana Skaldina. 1989 World Championship brought her the gold medal in all-round. Then she coped with all the difficulties, connected with the Soviet Union break-up, with the necessity to prove everybody that you are the best. She has stood the test. Once she had to compete with a bruised eye. Hardly seeing the apparatus, she went through her all-round programme.

And here the second Olimpic Games came. In Barcelona Aleksandra was flawless and judges awarded her with the gold medal. It was the last competition of the golden Sasha, however, she stayed a golden gymnast forever.