Rodionenko about Melnikova’s words about the level of gymnastics in Russia: “Such comments are not from a great mind. I don’t think Angelina has the right to judge.”
The coach criticized Angelina Melnikova for her words about the level of Russian gymnastics.
Earlier, Olympic champion Melnikova said: “In Russia there are two or three gymnasts who can qualify for the level of the European and World Championships, the rest cannot. The level of competition in Russia is also low.”
“I am skeptical about her comment. I don’t think that Angelina has the right to judge the state of gymnastics in Russia and talk about who can qualify for prizes. We have enough competition, it is no coincidence that Angelina was only third at the Russian Cup. Such comments are not from a great mind.
We are Olympic champions in team competitions. Not individually, but as a team! This is a special victory and it says a lot. That’s all,” said senior coach of the Russian artistic gymnastics team Valentina Rodionenko.
I think it is inevitable that standards will drop without the momentum of international competition behind them and if the sanctions continue, I can see the whole sports infrastructure falling into disrepair. I don’t really know why Valentina tries to deny this - she is only drawing attention to what is obvious.
ReplyDeleteI’m a lifelong supporter of gymnastics from the former Eastern bloc countries and particularly Russia. They have had an incredible run of success to one extent or another - for nigh on 70 years since their accession to the Olympic movement in 1951. I waver in supporting the IOC ban on a national level, because sport and the Olympics are about peace, and cutting off cultural communications seems destructive to me. But the recent actions by the ROC (see blog post earlier this week) have made it hard to change anything. Russian politics is destroying Russian sport. My heart breaks for the athletes and the coaches.
The IOC will not risk their funding or worse, another American boycott on the grounds of "Russian Aggression" as they did with the Moscow games. They will do as they are told
ReplyDeleteThe ROC are not an autocratic organization, they receive governmental advice, gather the opinions of their coaches and athletes and act accordingly. They have gone against governmental advice before and will do again. The vast majority of Russian sportspeople will not compete under a neutral flag. Neither would yours. Nor the Americans. But of course, they will never suffer sanctions. The ROC are only following the "will of the majority of the people"
As for "destroying Russian sport", these girls are Olympic champions. And they will be again if they are allowed to compete. Melka's comments are more representative of the athletes' view of the East vs West mentality and it's effect on Russian sport than of the capabilities of Russian sportspeople. But when you are picked on by the world for doing nothing wrong, well, what are you going to think... Of course that sort of bullying will have an effect. At the end of the day, she is innocent and should be allowed to compete. The IOC should have stayed of of this
Well that was depressing :D Agreed, worlds was a mess. So many injuries. The French not sending Heduit. What was that all about??? A number of countries not sending their best athletes. Was happy for Algeria though. At least they got a medal :) And Qiu Qiyuan won bars so yay❤️❤️❤️
ReplyDeleteI honestly can't bring myself to watch Worlds. No competition except on bars, it was very clear who was gonna win. Perhaps far worse is that I can't participate with the gymnastics fanbase anymore. Anything critical of American gymnasts, power gymnastics, or IOC's clear allegiance to the West is not allowed. I hate the whole GOAT thing, sorry.
ReplyDeleteRodionenko is correct about the general state of gymnastics, but I love Melka for speaking her mind and she is mostly right about Biles being a special case.