Rewriting Russian Gymnastics

The Russia Cup begins today with the men's team competition and qualifications for all around and event finals.  It all should be over by around 6 pm Penza time. Russian star Anton Golotsutskov is out of the Russia Cup - but hopes still to be in contention for the Olympics.  Picture courtesy of the RGF . Latest news is that Olympic medalist, vault and floor specialist Anton Golotsutskov is out of the competition because of back pain.  This does not rule him out of Olympic contention. Maxim Devyatovski (former European Champion (2007),Russian champion (2008), and Russian team member at many international competitions) will compete independently at the Russia Cup and if he achieves good results will be in contention for a place on the Olympic training squad, said national team coach Valery Alfosov. David Belyavski, a Russian hope for the all around in London, is suffering with a pinched nerve in his shoulder. I am constantly scouring the internet for news and ...

Devyatovski and Alexandrov put forward their opinions of the forthcoming World Championships in Fukushima in an English Language translation of an article available here . A representative of the Japanese Federation has visited Lake Krugloye to discuss arrangements at the world championships and to try to reassure competitors of the safety of the environment.  Russia is the only country to be favoured with such a visit. Devyatovski's reaction is on the emotional side: he points out that the gymnasts will have to be there for a minimum of ten days and that the gymnasts are likely to be distracted by their own security concerns.  He finishes his interview: 'Can you guarantee that I'll be able to have a child afterwards?' Alexandrov is more pragmatic, pointing out the sporting political pressures the Russians were under to agree to compete in Japan, in particular the fact that next year a new FIG President will be up for election and of course that qualification for ...

International Gymnast reports on a Moskovsky Komomolets interview with Valentina Rodionenko.  Rodionenko gives some quite specific information regarding the injury to Viktoria Komova and suggests that she wasn't fully ready for the National Championships which took place last weekend; furthermore, her place on the team for Berlin is under question.  The current line-up includes Dementieva and Mustafina (all around) with Nabieva and either Belokobylskaya or Komova providing specialist back up.  Let's see how things turn out!  Still early days.  A team with Komova providing specialist back up on beam would indeed be very strong ... and quite a good tactical decision, I'd suggest. In the full version of this Russian language interview which you will find here , Rodionenko also discusses the men's team selections.  Maxim Devyatovski is the top all arounder for the Russians at present, and they are hoping for a medal for him.  David Beliavski and Nikita...