Andrei Rodionenko : Lupita translates

National Coach Andrei Rodionenko - picture taken nine days before the team's Olympic departure.  Courtesy of Sovietski Sport

A 27th September Sovietski Sport interview with national coach Andrei Rodionenko is translated here by Lupita: 

'It's nothing personal!  Just look to the future!'

Andrei Rodionenko didn’t like the word “dismissal” when I asked about Alexandrov’s situation. There were difficult moments during our talk in his office at Krugloye. It’s to be expected, because the reason for my visit was not a simple one.

– Andrei Fiodorovich, Alexandrov’s dismissal has given rise to different reactions. Not everyone supports you.

 
– I am against this being called “a dismissal”. It’s a change of status. I was dismissed when I was the women’s team coach in Seoul [1988]. The Soviet team won gold and Elena Shushunova won the AA. But Аrkayev (former president of the Russian Federation and head coach) сonsidered he had to dismiss me. Nobody offered me another job! That was a real dismissal.

– How do you define the fact that Alexandrov is no longer the team’s head coach? Which word would you use?

 
– “Allocation of duties”. We couldn’t accept Alexandrov having two functions. This caused conflicts and an unhealthy climate for the team, made obvious at the Coaching Council …  It was a necessary step for a certain period of time. Aliya had no personal coach and Alexandrov did some brilliant work with her. Unfortunately, the situation inside the team was controversial and contradictory. Now, at the beginning of a new quad, the issue had to be solved.

– A part of the media has reacted against this decision.

 
– I didn’t expect this reaction! But you saw the videotape! Could we leave things as they were?! I would have been blamed for doing nothing. We have to prepare for Rio today, not a year before the Olympics. It means that we have to learn from the lessons of London as soon as possible. This is how I understand my role and my responsibility. 

– So far I don’t know. I want to explain the following. What are the complaints against Alexandrov? From the Coaching Council, we can conclude the following: because Aliya was the head coach’s pupil, the other gymnasts suffered from psychological pressure. Discipline was not followed, hysteria was frequent in the warm-up hall...

 
– Those are the consequences. The causes are that, before creating a team of gymnasts, we have to create a team of coaches. This has always been my approach. In the 70s, when were always second, the situation changed dramatically with the creation of a group of coaches. Alexander Sergueievich couldn’t do it because he had two functions. He is not dismissed. We simply want his work to be more efficient. Aliya Mustafina is a diamond. If a coach, who was able to train Bilozerchev and Moguilny, can give all his work to this diamond until the Rio Olympics, Aliya will become AA Olympic champion. She’ll win gold not only on bars…

–Alexandrov asked to talk to you in private at the end of the meeting. He has not worked for two days.

 
– Aliya is not training alone. The other coaches are with her. Grebenkin, who created her bars routine. He has been working with her for three years. Recently, she could not land and jump after her injury. Аnd Alexandrov’s reaction is natural.  He expected nothing of the kind.  It was all emotional. I hope he will understand. Nobody disdains his success. It was not a dismissal; it was not lack of respect. He will succeed much better in his new function.

– He stated that there was something personal.

 
– There’s nothing personal! What can be personal! At the coaching council I said the team’s performance had been satisfactory, but that we had to think about the future. Wasn’t I clear enough?!

– I understand. But there’s something which is not clear. Was Elfimov right when he said that Grebenkin had no experience as a head coach? Grebenkin is not very confident. By the way, did he know that he would be named head coach?

 
– No, he learned it at the same time rest did.  You are not right.  He has experience. He’s not only a bars coach, he was Alexandrov’s assistant. When Alexandrov was away, he replaced him in his function of head coach. I’ve no reasons no doubt about Grebenkin’s work.