A gold medal winning machine ... Alexander Alexandrov and his prize gymnast, Aliya Mustafina. Courtesy of mk.ru The Russian press has been busy over the last week, chewing over the news of Russian gymnastics. In case you have been living in a cave without links to the outside world, I will provide a potted history of the recent past: Alexander Alexandrov's role as Head Coach of the women's team has been reassigned to Evgeny Grebenkin. Alexandrov has expressed his personal commitment to continue his role as personal coach to Russia's only gymnastics gold medallist at the London Games, Aliya Mustafina, but his professional contractual status still remains uncertain. The reassignment of jobs has been decided and announced by Russian gymnastics supremo Andrei Rodionenko on grounds that a team coach cannot also be a personal coach. Alexandrov has bitterly fought for his right to remain as Head Coach, but Rodionenko's will has prevailed. There...
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.