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Afanasyeva congratulated by regional Governor Vladimir Gruzdev

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Politician Vladimir Gruzdev, Governor of Tula Oblast, Afanasyeva's home region, has officially congratulated the senior national team member for her outstanding performance, winning a gold medal on floor and a bronze on vault, at this weekend's European Championships.

"The gold medal in the floor exercise was the result of hard work, perseverance and determination. Your countrymen are proud of your achievements!

I am confident that a strong character and skill will continue to serve as collateral for your athletic success."

Vladimir Gruzdev wished Ksenia health, luck and new bright victories!

Tula and local coach Marina Nazarova have long been important to Russian gymnastics.  As well as Afanasyeva, Tula is also home to 2009 world bars champion and 2010 team world champion, Ksenia Semenova.  Maria Zasypkina, 2001 world team silver medallist, also trained in Tula with Nazarova.  This is an impressive track record.  

The high profile victories of the Russian gymnasts in Montpellier will no doubt be important as the various Olympic sports struggle to secure the best possible funding for their training for Rio.  Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko has already suggested that warm weather training might not be made available to all Olympic sports - so government support for gymnastics will be of material importance as resources are allocated over the coming months.  Head coach Andrei Rodionenko stated his wish last year - that facilities built in Sochi for the Winter Olympics be made available to the gymnasts as acclimatisation for the weather conditions the gymnasts will experience in Brazil.



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  1. Unknown21 April 2015 at 03:39

    Good article, thank you for this great news. Also, Semenova actually was 2007 worlds uneven bars champion- not 2009!

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