Rewriting Russian Gymnastics

 The Russian MAG team have their first squad training at Round Lake, Moscow, beginning on 5th January.  Missing from the line up will be Daniel Marinov and Sergei Naidin, who are both recovering at home after shoulder surgery.  

Former Olympic and World Champion Nikita Nagorny spoke to TASS on the 23rd December.   Nagorny speaks for himself here, trashing the IOC/FIG ban on Russia’s participation in international competition and suggesting that world sport is running back to Russia with its tail between its legs, desperate for his country’s return to World and Olympic tournaments. Of course, I personally would like to have the Russian teams back - but only after peace has been restored!  I’ll be delighted if Melnikova, Listunova and their like can secure neutral status to compete as individuals, and I do think that the sport will be the brighter for their originality, technique and artistry.  But the world can do without Nagorny’s bullish pretence about the whole situation - which is all very sad and difficult for everyone.   I prefer the RGF’s official, calm and professional approach to Nagorny’s rather charmless blustering.  The fierce confidence that made Nagorny such an exciting gy...