Rewriting Russian Gymnastics

I’m not happy about this … the RGF has run a masterclass in what they are calling the Donetsk People’s Republic.  Of the Russian Olympic gymnasts I can see Nagorny there, and Urazova, don’t recognise the others apart from Stretovich, whose Instagram this is. It would be nice if this were an olive branch for peace, but I think it’s more of an Empire for President Putin.   Translation : ‘i.stretovich96 A significant event for the Donetsk People's Republic The Russian Gymnastics Federation held a master class in Donetsk For me personally, this is an important and significant moment. Gymnastics in the republic was, is and will be! Thank you for the warm welcome.’

Alexander Alexandrov with his daughter, Isa, at the statue of Christ the Redeemer, Rio.  (c) Alexander Alexandrov Russian coach Alexander Alexandrov has been prominent in the sport since 1983, when he came to the public eye as coach of the brilliant Dmitri Bilozerchev.  He has over thirty years’ experience of coaching World and Olympic Champions both in the country of his birth and in his adopted home, Houston, USA.  In his most recent position as Head Coach of the national women's artistic gymnastics (WAG) team for Russia, he quite simply resurrected his country’s gymnastics programme, re-establishing his team at the very top of the sport.  Prior to Alexandrov’s appointment, at the 2008 Olympics, Russian WAG had walked away empty handed, without medals.  At last year’s London Olympics, artistic gymnastics was one of Russia’s most successful sports.  Alexandrov’s Russia won the most gymnastics medals of any country competing, and his athlete Al...

Visit the site for a viewing of their 2011 calendar , complete with action shots of the top Russian gymnasts. It seems there is also another round of regional competitions .... I'm wilting ;-)  ...

Alan at Aliya Mustafina Online has alerted us to a link at the Federation's website including a full list of the women's national team. Amongst those eligible for competition at senior international level this year for the first time will be Komova, Paseka, Malikova. This significantly strengthens the selection squad available for this year's competitions. Senior national team: Ksenia Afanasyeva Yulia Belokobylskaya Anna Dementyeva Yulia Inshina Viktoria Komova Ekaterina Kurbatova Violetta Malikova Ramilia Musina Aliya Mustafina Anna Myzdrikova Tatiana Nabieva Maria Paseka Diana Sapronova Ksenia Semenova Reserve Gymnasts: Anastasia Grishina Maria Dunaeva Kristina Kruglikova Irina Sazonova Anastasia Sidorova Tatiana Solovyova Maria Stepanova

The All Around news site carries some more context and background to the re-election of Andrei Kostin. Kostin is the man Andrei Rodienenko credits as of critical importance to the resurgence of Russian gymnastics (see a brief media directory ). I hadn't taken on board that he is also very senior at the VTB Bank, thus cementing the crucial sponsorship arrangement between the Bank and the Federation. Let's hope this means continuing support for all the success the gymnasts are experiencing currently. A link to pictures of the Conference can be found at the Russian Federation's website .