Skip to main content

Ten gymnasts in training for Rio; Swiss lawyers will defend Kuksenkov's innocence

By
Head coach Valery Alfosov has unreservedly supported Russian AA champion Nikolai Kuksenkov, naming him to a group of ten gymnasts eligible for participation in Rio even though the gymnast's selection for international competition is currently impossible due to a positive drugs test.

The RGF is employing Swiss lawyers to defend Kuksenkov's 'honour and innocence'.  Russian gymnasts stopped taking meldonium last August 2015 although the drug is known for remaining in the system for long periods of time.  Other gymnasts have shown traces of the drug in their samples, but Kuksenkov's was 'scanty' but minimally over the limit.  No Russian gymnast should have this problem, says Alfosov. (Rodionenko earlier pointed out that gymnasts only take those supplements and medications given to them by the team doctor; they are not even permitted to buy over the counter cold medications or to self medicate at all).

Alfosov said that five gymnasts would travel to Rio, and two reserves, 'off list', who would act as reserve in the event of illness or injury.  The final selection would be made on the basis of performance at the Europeans and Russia Cup.

The ten gymnasts training for Rio are - 

Denis Ablyazin
David Belyavski
Nikita Ignatyev
Emin Garibov
Nikita Nagorny
Artur Dalolyan
Ivan Stretovich
Vladislav Polyashov
Dmitri Lankin
Nikolai Kuksenkov

Labels:

Comments

  1. Queen Elizabeth6 April 2016 at 13:02

    Of interest to this case - http://townhall.com/news/world/2016/04/06/ibu-says-it-will-delay-rulings-on-meldonium-doping-cases-n2144316

    ReplyDelete
  2. Russiafan11 April 2016 at 19:46

    Hello Queen Elizabeth,

    I am off topic with this message, but I am wondering what you thought of the Russian Nationals. I was happy to Mustafina look good, but I hope they are not pushing her too early. What did you think of the competition and how team Russia looks?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Queen Elizabeth11 April 2016 at 22:40

      Please bear with me - it was an extremely interesting competition and I have lots to say. Will be posting in the coming days.
      BTW I think Aliya chose to compete. And I think despite doctor's orders etc it was a good thing. It is really now or never if she wants to be ready for Rio.

      Delete
    2. Russiafan11 April 2016 at 23:08

      Thanks for the reply! I look forward to reading your assessment. I was surprised to see how good she looked on both bars and beam so soon after her treatment. She's such a fighter. Cheers!

      Delete
    3. Anonymous13 April 2016 at 09:08

      I'd like to hear your analysis on Tutkhalyan. Seda has such a difficult and interesting program which could challenge the top 3 AA gymnasts in Rio, like Biles, if she manages to stabilize it well and upgrade vault. Valentina seemed not enthusiastic about Seda's difficulty rather than stability. Can't wait to hear from you on that. Alfi

      Delete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Head MAG Coach Alfosov on Russian gymnastics prospects in 2026

By
"A Really Good International Level": Alfosov on the Return of Russian Gymnasts, Belyavsky's Videos, and the Games Qualification Alfosov: Belyavsky's presence on the team was a big plus Interview by Elena Vaitsekhovskaya  Google translate Russian gymnasts competing under neutral status will be able to take their first step toward qualifying for the Los Angeles Olympics as early as October, Valery Alfosov, head coach of the Russian men's team, told RT. He believes that qualifying for not only the individual but also the team competition at the World Championships is one of the season's greatest achievements. He also explained the criteria he uses to compare his players with their competitors and described David Belyavsky's decision last year as hard-won. The current season began with good news for the gymnasts: almost all of the leading Russian team members are participating in international competitions. Does this mean the suspension situation is a thing of...
Post a Comment
Read more

Viktoria Komova - apology

By
Viktoria wrote some hasty words last night in the heat of the moment.  We all have such times, when hurt feelings lead us to behave uncharacteristically.  It is not important what she said; it is important that Vika has reflected and wants us all to read this message which she published on VK.com this morning. "Dear friends! I want to apologize for my statements about American girls, about drugs, all my words were spoken on emotions. Of course I haven't any proof and didn't really mean it and so on... I am so sorry. I want to apologize for my character to all of you". Vika, we are still with you every step of the way.
38 comments
Read more

Viktoria Komova - back pain has forced me to step down

By
I awoke this morning to a very simple statement from Viktoria Komova, on her vk.com site, which Papa Liukin has translated (via the IG forum): 'Dear friends, fans, and gymnastics lovers. Unfortunately back pain isn't allowing me to train to my full potential and get ready for competitions. I've made the very difficult decision to stop training and take care of my health. I want to thank everyone for their support! Without your love and warmth it would've been more difficult to go all the way. Thanks everyone and see you soon! Love and kisses.' Well, first of all, good wishes and best of luck to Viktoria, who has struggled since 2012 to re-establish herself fully as a competitive gymnast, whose talent was so great that she secured gold on bars at two different World Championships, four years apart, whose career was littered with controversy, who must be allowed to live her life as she wishes.   I know that the 'gymternet' will now be overflowing...
43 comments
Read more

RRG Archive - scroll by date, from 2024 to 2010

Show more