Rewriting Russian Gymnastics

Almost two years ago the IOC sanctioned Russia for invading Ukraine.  The IOC effectively banned Russia’s team from international competition in Olympic sports.   2020/1 was therefore Russia’s last Olympics, but even so they competed then not as Russia, but under the flag of the Russian Olympic Committee. There has been a long history of ‘diplomatic’ conflict between Russia and the IOC.  You could think back as far as 1984 when the team boycotted the LA Olympics, but more recently we begin with the ‘state doping’ that went on in particular at the Sochi Winter Olympic Games in 2014.  Gymnastics wasn’t affected at that time as the sport of gymnastics is clean, but the sanctions on sport in Russia, in general, have gradually become stronger.  It’s now only possible for gymnasts to compete internationally as individuals, with neutral status.  Neutral status is granted by their sporting administrative bodies, in our case the FIG.   It’s not an easy job, eit...

  Angelina Melnikova is not only an ambitious gymnast, she also wants to pursue acting as part of her career.    This picture came with congratulations on her medals in Paris, from one of her agents. I can see real determination in her face - it must have taken a lot of courage to put herself in the public eye at a time when the international environment is uncertain and unpredictable, and her own country is at the centre of chaos.   Sport is about bringing people from different cultures together, to appreciate human achievement and celebrate respect, competition and, wherever possible, friendship.    This gymnast has remained consistent in her pursuit of excellence since childhood, and she has persisted in the most difficult of circumstances, with incredible personal grace.    She is down to earth, charming and professional, a real example to everyone.    The circumstances have been very trying, but you would never see Angelina sho...

Angelina Melnikova will be the first Russian WAG to compete internationally since the IOC ban in 2022 when she appears at the World Challenge Cup in Paris on September 13 and 14 this year. Travelling with her will be coach Konstantin Pluzhnikov and judge Elena Redyanova.   Angelina says she will compete AA with a relatively simple programme. I’m glad Angelina is making this start for Russia.  It’s a real tribute to this young woman that she is trusted with the first effort at coming back after such a long time, and I hope people welcome her back warmly.  Angelina will be competing as a neutral athlete, of course.  She was awarded this status after a fair and rigorous process of evaluation by the FIG.   Here is what Angelina said today to Match TV: Olympic champion in artistic gymnastics Angelina Melnikova told Match TV how she reacted to being admitted to the FIG World Challenge Cup tournament in France. ❓What emotions did you experience from the fact that you w...

You can read the Examiner article below for details if the FIG’s somewhat disappointing financial performance.  Perhaps you have some ideas how it could be improved?  Live streaming of quals could be one new income stream. In the meantime, my opinion.  Never forget that Russian bank VTB was a sponsor of FIG before the sanctions took hold.    Russia’s withdrawal from the sport has directly reduced income - firstly, no VTB sponsorship; secondly the sport has less entertainment value without the artistic, innovative and technically proficient gymnasts of Russia.  This again affects income levels as reduced spectator interest and the resulting decrease in sponsorship and broadcast revenues. I’m not arguing about the need for sanctions, either way.    Just pointing out that if you cut off the limbs, the body will be affected. https://www.thesportsexaminer.com/gymnastics-fig-2024-financial-report-shows-very-modest-19-million-in-2024-revenue-but-good-res...

According to the Russian Gymnastics Federation via sports.ru.  Google translate. ‘The Russian Gymnastics Federation announces the return of the Russian gymnastics community to the world arena. 🤸Participation of athletes: 🔸Participation in the 2025 Trampoline World Cup stages in Portugal (July 5–6), Germany (September 20–21), Bulgaria (September 27–28), and France (October 3–5) has been confirmed. 🔸Participation of Russian athletes is planned in the Trampoline World Championships (Madrid, November 2–10) and the World Championships (November 10–17). 🔸A preliminary application has been submitted for the participation of Russian athletes in the 2025 Candidates' Cup in artistic gymnastics, which will be held in Paris on September 13–14. The final number of participants will be determined by July 16, 2025. ✍Participation of judges in competitions: 🔹Alina Gusarova and Irina Berek will work as neutral judges at the Tbilisi Cup in rhythmic gymnastics from June 11 to 15, 2025. 🔹RGR Vic...

 ‘I was born and raised in Voronezh, my sports career began here and it was Voronezh that I always represented at international competitions. I am not ending my sports career, but I want to try to contribute to the fate of my hometown not only as an athlete, but also as a citizen.’ Source: Sportrian Gymnast Melnikova runs for Voronezh City Duma Angelina has put forward her candidacy for the United Russia primaries, according to registration data on the official portal of the political party's preliminary voting. The Olympic champion in artistic gymnastics is running as a non-partisan candidate. She is running for the post of deputy of the Voronezh City Duma from the 23rd electoral district. Her job title indicates that she is an athlete-instructor of the Russian national artistic gymnastics team.

In artistic gymnastics, these are Kirill Gashkov and coaches Marina Styazhkina (coach of Zlata Osokina) and Valentin Sukhodolsky (coach of Ilya Zaika). 💬Earlier in an interview with TASS, Valentin Sukhodolsky commented on the situation regarding the denial of admission: "My application for neutral status was considered for more than two months, it was submitted at the beginning of this year," Sukhodolsky said. "The response with the refusal came recently." "This is stupidity," is how the TASS source assessed the reason the FIG found to deny him neutral status. "This is just a photo with the Minister of Sports, who no longer held this post at the time my application was considered. Of course, I did not experience any panic after receiving the refusal. I am glad that my athlete Ilya Zaika has neutral status, which allows him to compete in international competitions." 📝Source www.sport-express.ru/rhythmic-g... tass.ru/sport/2361...

In an interview with Izvestia and SE, Nikita Nagorny shared his expectations for cooperation with the new IOC President Kirsty Coventry, and also commented on Alexander Ovechkin's record in the NHL. ❓How successful is the team tournament format in artistic gymnastics? 💬 Huge spectator interest, all tickets are sold out two or three days in advance. When we held such competitions of the gymnastics premier league last year, the 1,500-seat hall in Moscow was filled to capacity. The fan base, the chants - we have never had such emotions in artistic gymnastics in our country. In 2025, we plan to hold more than 40 competitions within the premier league. By the way, gymnasts who have finished their careers as athletes can also participate in them. For example, I recently saw on social networks that our 1996 Olympic champion Nikolai Kryukov, who ended his career more than 10 years ago, is preparing for such a performance. He was the head coach of the Russian youth team when I got there. A...

Interview with coach Marina Styazhkina from  https://www.fontanka.ru/2025/03/10/75203060/ Google translate 16-year-old Zlata Osokina from Gatchina was among 12 Russian gymnasts admitted to international competitions. What does this mean for the athlete, why do coaches not monitor their charges' social networks, and is it really possible to raise a national team-level gymnast in Russia without investing a ruble? Fontanka's sports department spoke with Zlata's coach Marina Styazhkina about this and more. — How did you receive the news about Zlata receiving neutral status? — We were very happy, because she is now in the main team preparing for the World Cup stage, which will begin on April 8 in Croatia, and then straight to Qatar, for the next stage. — How is the procedure for obtaining neutral status going now? — In December, we signed the papers, filled out the questionnaires, then they were checked for two months. My application is still under consideration, I also submitte...