Just to let you all know, I am trying to get a translation of a local (Saransk/Mordova) press report that is critical of former Soviet and Russia head coach Leonid Arkayev. Leonid's contract as head coach of the local facility (the Arkayev Gymnastics Centre) was terminated last October. There are three key allegations : (i) that he is difficult to work with and that his training methods are outdated (ii) that there are financial improprieties relating to his state accommodation and to the trading of gymnastics competition titles and (iii) that he has been molesting female gymnasts and that the girls do not feel comfortable around him.
Everybody wants to know whether this is believable. From what I have been able to garner via personal contacts and online comments, views are polarised. Some influential people have been critical in the past - this isn't surprising for someone in such a high profile position. It is difficult to judge.
It is plain that Arkayev can be very difficult - he has admitted as much himself and these admissions are in the public domain. Some national team members have criticised him, dating back to the 1980s and 1990s, and the atmosphere between coaches at the highest level can be toxic. It simply wouldn't be natural if a head coach pleased everyone all the time.
Arkayev was a great, charismatic coach, but at the age of 77 it wouldn't be especially surprising if his methods have become outdated.
Corruption is a way of life in some parts of Russia. Subletting state owned flats to earn money isn't exactly unknown, and he wouldn't be the first gymnastics coach to be accused of trading titles. So far, therefore, these allegations are pretty much nothing new.
However, the molestation allegations are more difficult to contextualise. I do not know how much to trust the journalism in The Saransk and Mordovan Times. I am told that it is a legitimate source, but then again much of their report is unattributable to any named source. On the one hand, it is extraordinarily difficult for victims to speak out. On the other hand, for the accused, these types of vague suggestions can be damaging even if there is eventually found to be no foundation for them. This could be poor journalism that adds little to what is already known and leaves room for doubt. If the allegations are true, they deserve much better treatment.
This is Russia; smoke and mirrors are pervasive throughout society. I personally feel very sad and upset - I met Leonid more than once and I liked him. He is an imperfect but hugely talented human being who has always dedicated his best efforts to Russian gymnastics. But, if he has hurt people then there does have to be a reckoning. Let's just hope that justice and humanity is respected - for everyone involved.
We will just have to keep an eye on how this develops.
Everybody wants to know whether this is believable. From what I have been able to garner via personal contacts and online comments, views are polarised. Some influential people have been critical in the past - this isn't surprising for someone in such a high profile position. It is difficult to judge.
It is plain that Arkayev can be very difficult - he has admitted as much himself and these admissions are in the public domain. Some national team members have criticised him, dating back to the 1980s and 1990s, and the atmosphere between coaches at the highest level can be toxic. It simply wouldn't be natural if a head coach pleased everyone all the time.
Arkayev was a great, charismatic coach, but at the age of 77 it wouldn't be especially surprising if his methods have become outdated.
Corruption is a way of life in some parts of Russia. Subletting state owned flats to earn money isn't exactly unknown, and he wouldn't be the first gymnastics coach to be accused of trading titles. So far, therefore, these allegations are pretty much nothing new.
However, the molestation allegations are more difficult to contextualise. I do not know how much to trust the journalism in The Saransk and Mordovan Times. I am told that it is a legitimate source, but then again much of their report is unattributable to any named source. On the one hand, it is extraordinarily difficult for victims to speak out. On the other hand, for the accused, these types of vague suggestions can be damaging even if there is eventually found to be no foundation for them. This could be poor journalism that adds little to what is already known and leaves room for doubt. If the allegations are true, they deserve much better treatment.
This is Russia; smoke and mirrors are pervasive throughout society. I personally feel very sad and upset - I met Leonid more than once and I liked him. He is an imperfect but hugely talented human being who has always dedicated his best efforts to Russian gymnastics. But, if he has hurt people then there does have to be a reckoning. Let's just hope that justice and humanity is respected - for everyone involved.
We will just have to keep an eye on how this develops.
Comments
Post a Comment