Part 1 Part 3 Valentina Rodionenko: 'she likes flattery very much ... she completely destroys her enemies' To go back to question in hand - Valentina was the main initiator of inviting me to come and coach in Russia. Like I stated before, the Rodionenkos were in deep you know what after the previous (2008) Olympic Games. They needed to invite “big names” to coach and to do all the work. The Rodionenkos needed to prove to the Ministry of Sport and the RGF that they could “fix” the problem. So when I first started, at our coach meetings Valentina would point me out and say to the rest, “Alexander is the Head Coach who was instrumental in our team winning the Olympic Games” (referring to Barcelona). So in the beginning Valentina would put me on a pedestal because she needed that. But after a while, any coach who does not repeat what she says and kiss her behind becomes an enemy. Valentina is used to being the boss, and likes flattery ver...
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.