Dmitri Andreev - we are building towards long term goals

 

Dmitri Andreev, Russia’s gymnastics leader now that Andrei Rodionenko has stepped into an advisory capacity, is a long standing national coach and well respected international judge.  Now, as gymnastics in Russia steps forward onto the international arena once more, (via its neutral athletes, coaches and officials), it’s up to Andreev and his team to support and structure the growth and development of gymnastics.  

Russia’s first big goal as neutral athletes is to qualify for the Olympics at the October World Championships.  Many of the gymnasts have limited experience on the big stage.  The necessary placements are therefore a big ask - especially emotionally and psychologically.   Here is how Andreev sees things working.

1. Transition Phase: Building Toward Major Goals

The Russian team is in a deliberate rebuilding and preparation phase. Early-season competitions like the Russian Cup serve more as evaluation tools than peak performances. The primary objective is the World Championships in Rotterdam, which double as Olympic qualifiers. Success there—specifically a top-three team finish—is the central target.

2. Controlled Preparation vs. Immediate Results

Athletes are following individualized and sometimes unconventional preparation plans:

• Angelina Melnikova skipped international events to focus on a tailored training schedule.
• Others, like Victoria Listunova and Milana Kayumova, had limitations due to eligibility or health.

This reflects a broader strategy: prioritize long-term readiness over short-term results.

3. Physical Limitations: Endurance and Conditioning

A key weakness identified is lack of functional endurance, especially evident in later stages of competition:

• Athletes performed well initially but showed fatigue in finals.
• The extended competition format (closer to international standards) exposed this gap.

Improving endurance is now critical, especially with new Olympic formats placing decisive events at the end.

4. Adaptation to International Standards

The team is adjusting to:

• Longer competition formats
• New rules and judging systems
• Mixed team events, which require versatility across apparatuses

There is also a learning curve in handling international judging procedures and protest systems, where inexperience has caused confusion.

5. Technical Development and Difficulty Strategy

For the men’s team:

• Difficulty levels were intentionally not pushed earlier due to lack of international competition and injury risk.
• Now, routines are being upgraded to match global standards.

For the women’s team:

• Execution (cleanliness of routines) has declined slightly.
• Certain apparatuses (like beam) remain inconsistent and need focus.

6. Inconsistency and Competition readiness

The men’s high bar final—marked by multiple falls—symbolized:

• Loss of competitive sharpness
• Effects of long absence from international events
• Psychological and rhythm-related challenges under pressure

7. Health Management and Athlete Preservation

Injuries and recovery are being handled cautiously:

• Several athletes skipped competitions to avoid aggravating issues.
• There is a clear emphasis on long-term athlete health over immediate participation.

8. Strategic Competition Planning

The competition calendar is being used selectively:

• Some events are skipped to allow recovery.
• Future appearances (e.g., Challenge Cups) will be used to test secondary athletes.
• Training camps (like the upcoming one in Antalya) combine preparation with recovery.

9. Realistic Self-Assessment

Andreev expresses cautious satisfaction:

• The team is progressing as expected.
• There is no overreaction to early shortcomings.
• The focus remains firmly on peaking at the right moment rather than early dominance.

10.  Team news

Milana Kaiumova will be back soon.  She has been suffering a muscle strain in her back.  Leila Vassilieva is still rehabbing her leg injury and is expected to be back in time for Europeans, even if she can’t compete on bars and beam only.

Overall Theme

The interview reflects a methodical, long-term approach: balancing athlete health, technical upgrades, and adaptation to evolving international demands, all aimed at achieving peak performance when it matters most—Olympic qualification.

Source: Sergey Lisin, Sport-Express, “Melnikova’s Preparation Was Fully Coordinated: Interview with Dmitry Andreev” (2026).
https://www.sport-express.net/artistic-gymnastics/reviews/dmitriy-andreev-intervyu-glavnogo-trenera-sbornoy-rossii-po-sportivnoy-gimnastike-o-nachale-sezona-2026-i-melnikovoy-2418696/

Portions of this summary were generated using ChatGPT, an AI language model by OpenAI, and then refined and verified by the author.