This is a time when sport and politics are inextricably interwoven. It's a sad day when I have to say that I can't support Russia's participation in the Olympic Games , but Russian gymnasts are paid by the State, and sport is used as a mouthpiece for the Russian state. It's not a personal matter, and I don't want to get into personal condemnations or accusations. The gymnasts are Russian. They aren't bad or horrible people, but they do live in a different and rather difficult environment that shapes their opinions. The BBC's Russia editor, Steve Rosenberg, spoke recently in The Observer about Russia's support for the war, and concluded that while a minority of the population were fiercely in favour of the war, and a similar minority strongly against it, the majority were probably just very confused about what was happening and didn't know what to think. The gymnasts likely DO support the war, at least partly because they have to for their...
Reporting and analysing Russian gymnastics since 2010. Includes original and exclusive interviews with leading coaches and gymnasts, and historical issues dating back to the Soviet Union. The first blog to report extensively on the sport using Russian language sources.