We are satisfied - Aliya Mustafina

In assessing the state of Russian WAG team prospects for Rio and later, we must look beyond the euphoria and flurry of apparatus medals taken by the girls today and yesterday.  These results might look good, but all of the medals were taken by young women in their twenties, at a reasonably advanced stage of their career.  Russia has promise - young Seda Tutkhalyan clearly relishes competition, and Maria Kharenkova has great potential on beam and floor - but time and again Russia fails to transition its promise to gold, and has to fall back on its 2012 Olympians.

The truth is that Russia is now in the main a team of veterans, relying on recovering heroes.  There is relatively little strength in depth.  After Rio, with the probable retirement of Afanasyeva and Mustafina, who will be left of world-beating class?   With declining participation and uninspired leadership, where are tomorrow's champions?  Who are the up and coming coaches?  

Will a change of leadership help and, if so, who could step in to take things forward?  If so, who could take the reins? Former Soviet and Russian supreme Arkayev, now well into his seventies?  Oleg Ostapenko?  Alexander Alexandrov?

This has been a continuing theme of RRG since Alexandrov's departure from the Russian team in 2013.  The great coach of multiple World and Olympic Champions gave me an interview then that covered many of the key problems and issues at some length.  Now,