Ilteryakova says world and European gold made her childhood dreams come true

Some medals are more than metal. For Russian gymnast Ilteryakova, this year's gold is the stuff of childhood daydreams.

Ilteryakova has spoken about her 2026 season, in which she won top-level awards at international tournaments. Among them are gold medals from both the world championships and the European championships. She described them as the fulfilment of her childhood dreams.

That is a big statement for any athlete. Most young gymnasts picture a podium like this long before they ever step onto a competition floor. Few get to stand on it, and even fewer do it twice in one year.

The context matters, too. In February 2022, after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) barred Russian and Belarusian gymnasts and officials from its competitions.

Ilteryakova's words come as the season winds down, and they sum up the year in a single sentence: what she wanted as a child, she has now won.