Rewriting Russian Gymnastics

TASS reports that promising junior Diana Kustova (Moscow) has retired, and taken up work as a fitness trainer.  Yana Vorona (Voronezh), a great beam worker who looked likely to achieve as a full member of the senior team, has also retired. Both gymnasts have been unable to get back to elite level after injury. No further news on Vlada Urazova (Rostov).  The only Olympians who will be present at Novosibirsk for the Russian Cup will be Angelina Melnikova and Viktoria Listunova.  Russia is almost entirely reliant now on the new generation of  2007/8 born gymnasts to carry forward their gymnastics legacy.   Here is what head coach Valentina Rodionenko has to say: Members of the Russian national artistic gymnastics team Diana Kustova and Yana Vorona have ended their careers. This was reported to TASS by the senior coach of the national team Valentina Rodionenko. 💛"Kustova ended her career in artistic gymnastics and went into fitness, according to my information, she...

Google translate of a Match TV interview with Olympic Champion Viktoria Listunova.  With thanks to the gymnastics group on VK.com Victoria Listunova told Match TV about her recovery from injury on the air of the program “Above Olympus”. “The year didn’t start off very well. I had a back injury. Now I have to work hard on it [recovery], devote time to it. That’s why even now my main activities are training, then a trip to the medical center, where I undergo various procedures, exercise therapy, and see a doctor. He gives various recommendations on what to do next.” What is your goal? “To leave my mark on gymnastics, to create my own history.” Will you watch the Olympics? “I don’t know. Maybe! (laughs) I don’t know for sure yet. I would watch.” How should I think now? “I haven’t had a situation where I was very upset or anything. I just always live with this thought: “We’ll get through it!” I always hold on to this thought everywhere.” Aren’t you sad? “No! (smiles).” We’re looking fo...