Sovietski Sport has published a collection of wonderfully moody photographs of last week's visit to Lake Krugloye. Worth a look just for the cover photograph of Aliya Mustafina - is that a new opening pose for her soulful floor routine, or is she just waiting for a lift?
The last gymnast I can remember with similar presence and charisma is 1989 World Champion Svetlana Boguinskaia - she draws the eye, seems graceful and expressive, whatever the circumstances.
There is also an interview with Alexander Alexandrov. We really need to wait for a proper English language translation although I don't think it adds too much to what we have already read about. There are significant rumblings of the added value Anastasia Grishina brings to the team, including a possible Amanar vault which she is beginning to practice now, ahead of Komova and Mustafina who are still recovering from their injuries. Alexandrov also raises the possibility that Mustafina will not perform on floor at the forthcoming Brussels European Championships which begin on the 9th May, although he seems very sanguine about this.
Alexandrov identifies the USA, China and then Romania as key rivals for titles in London - and acknowledges the policy of almost complete silence recently adopted by the Chinese team. Well, Russia are almost as quiet, aren't they? After all, what matters are the results in July, not the outcome of a distracting, somewhat blustery PR battle that the USA attempted to kick off as early as February ...
Don't forget the beautiful pictures by Elena Mikhailova which you will find at the RGF's website. I have created a gallery of a small selection of some of the best pictures at my new Facebook page (you do not have to be registered to view the pictures).
The last gymnast I can remember with similar presence and charisma is 1989 World Champion Svetlana Boguinskaia - she draws the eye, seems graceful and expressive, whatever the circumstances.
There is also an interview with Alexander Alexandrov. We really need to wait for a proper English language translation although I don't think it adds too much to what we have already read about. There are significant rumblings of the added value Anastasia Grishina brings to the team, including a possible Amanar vault which she is beginning to practice now, ahead of Komova and Mustafina who are still recovering from their injuries. Alexandrov also raises the possibility that Mustafina will not perform on floor at the forthcoming Brussels European Championships which begin on the 9th May, although he seems very sanguine about this.
Alexandrov identifies the USA, China and then Romania as key rivals for titles in London - and acknowledges the policy of almost complete silence recently adopted by the Chinese team. Well, Russia are almost as quiet, aren't they? After all, what matters are the results in July, not the outcome of a distracting, somewhat blustery PR battle that the USA attempted to kick off as early as February ...
Don't forget the beautiful pictures by Elena Mikhailova which you will find at the RGF's website. I have created a gallery of a small selection of some of the best pictures at my new Facebook page (you do not have to be registered to view the pictures).
they are really taking it easy on Vika.. shame she's not gonna do the full program at Euros, but hey she's locked the AA competition hours all through the end of 2011, so it does make sense.. I guess Alex is planning to use Brussels as a platform for choosing nr 3, 4, 5 and 6 for London. Aliya and Vika will simply be checking the international competition box
ReplyDeletedid you see the video of Vika training double-double dismount on bars? looks good..
ReplyDeleteYes! An exciting new development.
ReplyDeleteWe will just have to wait and see if and when she competes it ..