Rewriting Russian Gymnastics

A popular figure ... Coach Anton Stolyar with the Russian team this week Issues and questions still dog the Russian programme despite the optimistic feeling of Komova's return, the apparently rapid recovery of Afanasyeva and the early competition vigour of Mustafina.  By the end of the week, certain factors have been laid bare.  The injury to Grishina makes clear the fact that Russia still largely depends on its Olympians as medal prospects, and they are injury prone and below par currently.  Of the newcomers, only Kharenkova is showing the steel necessary at the very top level, and she is out of the ordinary in transitioning successfully to senior level.  Promising juniors such as Melnikova and Tutkhalyan are not uncommon in the Russian programme, but much less common is the consistency and discipline to raise junior talent to senior medals.  Where, for example, were Shelgunova and Kuzmina this week? Some good work should be acknowledged.  Spiridinova and ...