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.
Fishing the internet for black and white pictures of gymnasts, I came across the following images at the RIA Novosti Media Gallery.
1981 World Champion Olga Bicherova is very photogenic, and I love these candid shots. Soviet champions were often highly praised for their diligence and sense of duty, not just in sports but in everyday life. Collecting stamps, replying to fan mail and working hard in the classroom all personified the work ethic and high standards which exemplified the perfect Soviet citizen.
Olga Bicherova replying to a Japanese fan's letter, shortly after winning the 1981 World Championships. Courtesy of RIA Novosti
Olga Bicherova in practice with choreographer Galina Savarina, in 1982
Olga Bicherova and her stamp collection, 1981
Olga Bicherova, the model schoolgirl, 1981
Tiny Olga Bicherova with coach Boris Orlov in 1978
This brief Soviet television documentary emphasises the personal qualities that made her such a great example for youth.
Olga Bicherova was a gymnast of great charisma, charm and competitive strength. She is remembered in particular for her tantalizing floor performances, aggressive vaulting and confident beam routines.
You can find here the floor routine with which Olga won the 1981 World all around title.
And her later, 1983, floor routine, for me a favourite for its personality, expression and the way she flirts with the judges.
There is some doubt over Olga's birthdate: born October 26th, did she turn 14, or 15 (as required to compete in an FIG competition) in 1981? Even now, some thirty-one years later, there is confusion; for example, age details on some of the Novosti pictures from 1978 and 1979 are confusing. But with such a time distance, it is easy enough to get someone's age wrong. Surely, at such a tender age Bicherova would not have been able to change her own credentials. What remains certain is that Bicherova was one of the best gymnasts in the world during a time when talent and competition were deeper than ever.
In a 2000 International Gymnast interview, Olga's former coach Boris Orlov admitted she was too young to compete that year, but didn't say exactly how old she was. Sorry I can't recall which issue - it's some time between January and May.
Picture credit RGF Aliya speaks in Sports Express http://news.sport-express.ru/2014-05-18/699607 I am very pleased with my performance today, I don't know what the judges didn't like about my bars, but I didn't ask them ... I did my routine fairly well without serious error. On beam I didn't have the start value but I received the highest execution score. We will try to fix that before the World Championships. Considering the problems I had with my ankle, I think I performed to the optimum at the moment. I did everything I could. I'm not the least bit sorry that I performed here - Very glad that I could help the team. I think my presence made things easier for the girls. It is very difficult to compete at such serious senior competitions for the first time. Of course they were very worried. But I'm sure that with time they will learn to cope easily with their nerves (smiles).
Prosport is carrying the following article about Simone Biles, who they tip as a favourite for Olympic gold. I thought I would share it here (Google translate in italics) as it gives an interesting perspective on where the Russians feel the sport is heading. Elena Zamolidchikova and Alexander Alexandrov are both extensively quoted. Atypical American. Simon Biles on the way to Olympic gold Simone Biles, American gymnast, turned 18 on March 14, 2015. Shortly before this, the first in US history absolute Olympic gymnastics champion Mary Lou Retton called Biles perhaps the most gifted athlete in the history of the sport. In 2014, Simon became the first gymnast for 40 years to win four gold at a World Championships. But Biles is not only talent. This is the first gymnast in recent years from the United States, who is not going to earn on its potential Olympic success. Text: Alexander Vladimirov March 15, 2015 9:35 The article on Prosport/Photo: Lintao Zhang / Getty Images / Fotob...
In view of Nelli Kim's recent interview , Lupita and I thought it timely to revisit the performance of some of the WTC President's judges over past competitions ... this article from 27th August 2012 is reposted here, as a reminder. You will find a link to the FIG's newly published book of results at the Olympic Games here . This year, they have broken down the judge's execution scores so you can see exactly how each judge evaluated the gymnasts' performances. It makes for interesting reading - if only I had more time to analyse each judge's marking. A skim reading already highlights multiple inconsistencies in individual judges' marks and makes you wonder why they bother with the jury at all. I have taken the time to look at the reference judges' scores for the top four in the women's all around. The FIG explains here what their role is, and how they are selected. I even used my calculator, which is a risky thing in my hands. M...
In a 2000 International Gymnast interview, Olga's former coach Boris Orlov admitted she was too young to compete that year, but didn't say exactly how old she was. Sorry I can't recall which issue - it's some time between January and May.
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