Rewriting Russian Gymnastics

Does Ukraine have a future in men's gymnastics, or will its athletes move overseas to pursue their talents?  Oleg Stepko's personal photograph as he prepared to travel to Baku Many of the stories to be found on this blog are about a relatively unspoken fact of life of the sport - the migration of gymnasts, coaches and officials from their home countries overseas.  While we discuss the personalities, we do not consider the phenomenon of migration and its influence on the sport particularly deeply.  This is a little surprising, as migration has shaped the sport significantly since 1991.  In particular, coaches from Russia and the states of the former Soviet Union - and their families - have figured as the main protagonists in the worldwide development of the sport.  In America, the phenomenon began earlier - during the 1980s - as Romanian head coaches Bela and Marta Karolyi defected to the States, and went on to build the nascent characteristics of Amer...

Oleg Stepko, European Parallel Bars Champion Nico Jackson reports on some new developments Something is in the air of Azerbaijan lately. This energy-rich nation in the Caucasus region has taken a keen interest in developing its gymnastics programs in recent months. Already strong in rhythmic gymnastics, the Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation continues to move forward with the men’s and women’s artistic programs through recruitment of gymnasts and coaches from abroad (mainly Russia). As reported in December 2013, Azerbaijan has recruited several well-known former competitors for Russia: Anna  Pavlova ,  Yulia   Inshina , Marina  Nekrasova  and Konstantin  Pluzhnikov . Earlier this week, FIG released news of nationality changes for nineteen gymnasts in all gymnastics disciplines. Fifteen of those gymnasts were new representatives of Azerbaijan, most of whom were formerly of Russia (including two WAG and one MAG). The most notable change was Ukrainian Olympian a...

I want to send my love to Ukraine, and Russia, at this difficult time, in the hope that peace and stability can take the upper hand. The rumour is that Ukraine's Oleg Stepko has moved to Baku to train and compete as part of the Azerbaijan national team. Stella Zakharova has also been on TV saying that she hopes to stage the Zakharova Cup this year, but that things are very difficult. Ukraine and Russia are friends and rivals on the gymnastics podium.   I found the banner above on a Russian social media site that is regularly used by both Russians and Ukrainians.  Please post the banner on your social media sites, let's try to make a bigger noise for peace than is being made for war. Updated 15.28 Sunday.  1996 Olympic Champion Lilia Podkopayeva says on Facebook Lilia Podkopayeva Я – Лилия Подкопаева. Мама двоих чудесных малышей. Где бы мы не жили – во Львове, или в моем родном Донецке, мы – женщины, жены, мамы – хотим одного – счастливой жизни и мирно...