Sport is the low hanging fruit of world politics. The IOC ban on Russian athletes has kept Russian soft influence to a minimum over past years. I understand the emotion. For example, how could Nagorny (a Russian World and Olympic champion) compete alongside Ukrainian rivals when he has openly endorsed the war, and even encouraged his Russian team mates to join up and take part in the military action? In this video FIG President Watanabe is welcomed to Round Lake, Russia’s national training centre for gymnastics, by Russian head coach Andrei Rodionenko and the aforementioned Nikita Nagorny. Rodionenko is a long-serving member of the international gymnastics community. He has been head coach of Soviet, Australian, Canadian and, now, the Russian teams. Watanabe is campaigning for votes in his quest to be voted IOC President. That’s like the Prime Minister of the UK putting himself forward as Head of NATO - it’s a big step. ...
Reporting and analysing Russian gymnastics since 2010. Includes original and exclusive interviews with leading coaches and gymnasts, and historical issues dating back to the Soviet Union. The first blog to report extensively on the sport using Russian language sources. I read, I argue, and I have opinions. Be warned.
Nice little interview. I always liked her.
ReplyDeleteHere is an interesting interview with Aliya and it seems her dad as well. If Lupita ever gets a chance to translate it that would be great :), even if it's only Musty's parts. From what I understand from google translate she had back pain from middle of february and all of March. Also seems she was to only do vault and UB. However, I am not sure.
ReplyDeleteHere is the link http://summer.sport-express.ru/gymnastics/reviews/24055/
Sad story to her as both her parents are dead and she is an only child but she has turned out really well, she's soo pretty. What an enjoyable gymnast she was to watch
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