Aliya Mustafina rumours - editorial note

EDITORIAL NOTE ADDED 9.9.2015

From Queen Elizabeth

There has been much discussion about Aliya in past weeks.  I do not want to create any distress or add to the current storm in a teacup, so the following is all I have to say until more information is officially and reliably in the public domain.   I will not be linking to blog posts or fan sites that attempt to make their version of the story into the true story.  

Let's all remember the definition of rumour : 

'information, often a mixture of truth and untruth, passed around verbally'

Let us not pass around our speculation as an authoritative version of events, or at least let's keep fact strictly separate from fiction, or near-fiction.  

Aliya is the only one who matters, and who knows the complete truth about it all.  It is her choice, and the choice of her Federation, whether we are informed of the full circumstances.  She is a professional athlete with a normal life whose privacy we should all respect.  Most of what is being said is NONE OF OUR BUSINESS. 

I would say that the fact that Valentina is leaving the door open for Aliya to compete at Worlds speaks volumes of her respect for this gymnast.

I am probably flying in the face of fan opinion when I say, I hope Aliya DOESN'T compete in Glasgow, for reasons I will keep to myself.  All that matters is that she remains happy and healthy; I would love to see her compete in Rio, but that is almost a year away.

You can read the official information about Aliya here - http://rewritingrussiangymnastics.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/aliya-mustafina-to-miss-russia-cup-says.html?showComment=1441745122582