Rewriting Russian Gymnastics

Angelina Melnikova won’t compete at the Russian Cup next week.  Instead, she will travel to Novosibirsk (where the championships will be staged) and will conduct a Master class.   Source: VK.com I’m unsure why this is happening.  Earlier in the year, Valentina Rodionenko said gymnasts had to compete at Russia Cup if they wanted to be part of the national team, unless they had a doctor’s signature. UPDATE -  Here’s a message from Gelya about her withdrawal from Russian Cup.  It seems her leg injury is still troubling her.  Source: Angelina’s Telegram site via VK.com Dear fans! I have to inform you that I have withdrawn from the Russian Cup. I doubted for a long time whether to take part, because my injured leg still makes itself felt. Together with the coaches and medical staff, we came to the decision to abandon the competition in order to focus on treatment. I have three important starts ahead of me - the Legends Challenge Games, the Universiade in July, a...

TV news clip about the AIN withdrawal.  I don’t know what is being said, but just look at the sad faces.   It looks as though they recruited Nagorny to front this. I don’t for a minute believe that the gymnasts chose this for themselves. https://vk.com/video-4153493_456255896?access_key=8e42a914d38bbd70af Rodionenko presided over this meeting.  He looks close to tears at times - imagine as an octogenarian having your life’s work destroyed at one sweep.  We see Marinov and Listunova speaking, Polyashov present too.  Some of the gymnasts present I don’t recognise.  Melnikova looks devastated as does Roschina.  Andreeva, so young, doesn’t know what’s happened.   FIG, are you going to make a statement?   PS - This is the FIG statement, which I admit I saw, but absent mindedly missed.  The main thing is to look out for further statements after the Exec meeting early next month.  

  Russian gymnastics’ recent decision to withdraw its neutral athletes from international competition, as a protest over some offence or other, is highly uncharacteristic.   Only a few weeks ago, Russia was welcoming FIG President Watanabe into its gymnastics homes, with smiles and hugs exchanged at the highest level.   The gymnasts, including especially Angelina Melnikova, have been training assiduously for a return to the international arena.   There have been excited announcements of the names of those returning to our world of gymnastics.   Russian gymnastics has always been friendly, international and diplomatic.   Good sportsmanship is required of athletes and is generally shown, with a few notable exceptions.   During the depths of the Cold War, Russia’s teams toured the world, staging friendship displays and offering workshops and training.   Russian officials have been at the heart of the sport’s governance since the early 1990s and e...

 Via VK.com, Google translate I have never seen information on the competition organisers before, except for in banners and posters. This reads to me as though the umbrella RGF, responsible for all gymnastics sports in Russia, is taking the lead.  There is also now an RGF whose sole responsibility is artistic gymnastics, but they aren’t mentioned.   At the meeting of the organizing committee, all the nuances of the preparation and holding of a large-scale event were discussed. Novosibirsk is preparing to host the Russian Cup in artistic gymnastics  The meeting was held in the regional government, under the leadership of Deputy Governor Valentina Dudnikova, with representatives of all ministries and departments.  For Russian gymnasts, this tournament will be a significant event, as it is the main stage of selection for the national team for the upcoming major international starts. It will bring together the strongest representatives of the regional teams.  A...

 An official announcement, via VK.  Google translate. Official statement of the Russian Gymnastics Federation All Russian athletes representing artistic and rhythmic gymnastics, who received "neutral status", decided to refrain from participating in the upcoming competitions under the auspices of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG). The reason for this decision is the numerous unfounded and biased refusals of the FIG special committee to allow our gymnasts to compete. The Russian Gymnastics Federation respects and shares the position of the athletes. President of the Russian Gymnastics Federation Oleg Belozerov: "I respect the athletes' decision and understand what it is dictated by. At our meeting on March 10, Mr. Watanabe said that "I would like to use all my strength to once again think about the role of sport in this world. Sport should unite and give friendship, it should not be a tool for increasing hatred. The rights of every person must be resp...

Via VK.com.  Google translate A big interview with Aliya Mustafina was published on MATCH!. We provide a small excerpt below, and the full version is available on the website at the link below  ❓ Aliya, you are now the head coach of the junior artistic gymnastics team. What does your typical day look like? 💜 My current life is similar to what it was when I was competing. In the morning, I have breakfast and go to work by 9:00, we train for four hours, have lunch, rest and train for another three hours. During the training camp, the athletes live at the base. They live and train on the same territory. ❓ Do you manage the gymnasts' personal trainers or do you evenly distribute the responsibilities? 💜 We work in contact with the personal trainers, I listen to their opinions. For example, if the trainer believes that their athlete needs to be given a little rest or do fewer repetitions of a particular exercise, we do so. ❓ Describe the current generation of children. Do they nee...