Nikolai Andrianov and his son Sergei, in 1980. Courtesy of RIA Novosti Once upon a time, Vladimir School of Gymnastics was a workhorse of world gymnastics. Coach Nikolai Tolkachov fostered the talent of a legendarily stubborn, but deeply talented gymnast, Nikolai Andrianov, who went on to become an Olympic champion. Andrianov was at the vanguard of generations of ambitious young Soviet gymnasts who then went on to dominate world and Olympic competition during the 1980s and early 1990s. Those who followed him, twice World Champion Yuri Korolev, for example, were no less talented. Or we could cite Vladimir Artemov, multiple world medallist and all around Olympic champion in 1988. More recently, Yuri Ryazanov won bronze all around in the 2009 World Championships, before his life was so tragically cut short. Tolkachov's generous talent brought forth not only great gymnasts, but also great coaches, for example Viktor Firsov who coached Vladimir Artemov....
Reporting and analysing Russian gymnastics since 2010. Includes original and exclusive interviews with leading coaches and gymnasts, and historical issues dating back to the Soviet Union. The first blog to report extensively on the sport using Russian language sources. I read, I argue, and I have opinions. Be warned.