As quickly as my posts have been published, new stories have emerged. In my last post - you will need to read it in order to get the full picture - I said we would need to read Aliya's words, and here they are, thanks to RSport and some very vigilant readers of this blog who tipped me off! The decision to include Aliya on the team is not as definitive as might have been taken from Valentina and Andrei's words, but then we always have the subtleties of translation to deal with.
"I do not know for sure, (my performance in the World Championships) is questionable. When I am ready, it can be a statement, but for now it's not possible. I will be looking at my health closer to departure," - said Mustafina by telephone. She also noted that saying anything concrete about her health is difficult. "While it is difficult to say anything about the state of my health, one does need to start training. We will work in the camp at Round Lake."Yet more uncertainty - it is understandable if Aliya wants to take her time in deciding, and I am sure that we all support her in that. Interesting that Aliya is now clearly an independent voice on the Russian team - she has earned this autonomy from the mature and professional way she has handled these difficult questions, and indeed her entire career, and we all send her our very best thoughts.
In turn, the head coach of Russia Andrei Rodionenko confirmed that 'no one had refused' the possibility of Mustafina being included in the squad for the World Championships.
Plot thickened!!!,,, guess we will just have to wait. But I feel a little more hopeful about Team Russia now.....
ReplyDeleteBtw, if I select classic instead of flipcard, then I can view comments. Maybe just browser dependent? I am using IE 11. Maybe someone with another browser can report about this problem?
Some of the posts have comments but I cant view them. the previous post about the provisional team for example.
ReplyDeleteHere's a test comment. See:
ReplyDeletehttps://productforums.google.com/d/topic/blogger/u2VAePfKxbg/discussion
Todays article from Vaytsehovskaya about Aliya and worlds including some new words from Aliya http://www.sport-express.ru/artistic-gymnastics/reviews/919813/
ReplyDeleteEh, since she hasn't been training for a while, I don't know how much of a help she would be. Her leadership and strength does help, but not sure how her performances would be. However, never count her out and she hits majority of the time and always when it matters. I wish I could say that about the others.
ReplyDeleteI hope she doesn't go though. Her health is the most important, and Rio is definitely the most important competition. If the team can't qualify without her, then that is really hopeless.