Rewriting Russian Gymnastics

Her name is synonymous with the best gymnastics, the most extraordinary attitude.  Glamour and charisma were matched with an earthy ability to excel herself in the heat of competition.  A fierce personal ambition was balanced by her loyal friendship and - occasionally ferocious - support of those closest to her.  Svetlana Khorkina, the leading gymnast of her generation, turns 35 today (19 January).  Khorkina's formative years were spent working in the Soviet system of gymnastics with the only coach she ever had in her life, Boris Pilkin.  They remained inseparable throughout her career.  Pilkin's genius was in finding a completely original approach to gymnastics that suited Sveta's style, personality and physique perfectly.  He took great care of her health and never forced her to progress too quickly.  His gentle personality made him the ideal foil to Svetlana's sometimes hot-tempered reactions, and it could be intriguing to watch the interaction...

Svetlana celebrated her 34th birthday yesterday. Performing here on beam in 1992, she wears the leotard of the Soviet national team well before she became famous as a Russian diva. Khorkina had eight skills named after her - two vaults, two beam and one floor element, and three innovations on her particular genius, bars. She shared her career with coach Boris Pilkin (1928-2010) who was the architect of Khorkina's special style of gymnastics, at once powerful and lissom. It was always an intriguing partnership: the fiery blond gymnast, sometimes arrogant, sometimes vulnerable; alongside her elderly, white haired coach, quiet, gentle, a man of few words but whose mind must have been full of gymnastics. Khorkina went on to win nine gold medals at World Championships, including three all around titles. She competed at three Olympics: 1996, 2000, and 2004, winning gold twice, on uneven bars, in 1996 and 2000. Her best result on beam was gold at the European Championships...

There is an interview with Svetlana Khorkina here . The article includes some lovely pictures of Khorkina in her current life as a Russian State Deputy, including one shot with Alina Kabaeva. If I understand the translation correctly, Khorkina's political responsibilities include a specialist interest in the Committee of Youth. She comments with pride on the achievements of the Russian team this year and identifies closely with Mustafina. She echoes Rodienenko's concerns for the future of Russian gymnastics, however, highlighting the shortage of coaches, and the corresponding poor rate of pay. Today's gymnastics is 'all bent legs', and lacks complexity. She suggests that Code changes after 2012 should be brought about, to encourage greater complexity in exercises, as well as better quality of performance. On a broader front, she suggests that the Russians need specialist legal sports representation to confront problems of unfairness she perceives, such ...

Nora at the All Around Forum kindly alerts us to the following article and short video tribute to the irreplaceable Boris Pilkin. http://belnovosti.ru/news/society/2010/10/22/belgorod-prostilsya-s-borisom-pilkinym And see here one of his masterpiece works of gymnastic art. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzSMcTtYkik Rest in peace, Boris.