Rewriting Russian Gymnastics

Anna Pavlova remains a fan favourite amongst Russia's artistic gymnasts.  The European, World and Olympic medallist now competes for Azerbaijan and still impresses with her fluid artistry.  Currently recovering from an injury, Anna will not be competing at the forthcoming European Games.  However, she is still a strong presence in international gymnastics and says she will not set a time limit on her involvement in the sport.  Alan Owen has delivered this interview with Anna in which the 27 year old star responds to readers' questions.  With many thanks to  Dina, who did all the translation. Now read on : 1. Will you compete all around, or focus on your best events as a specialist? I would like to concentrate on a few events and try to specialize, but I have to work all events and be an all-arounder.  2. What do you think of Aliya Mustafina, and the senior Russian team today? Aliya is a very talented and strong ...

Anna Pavlova, 2004.  Courtesy of Sing Lo Anna Pavlova, 2004 and 2008 Olympian, is still competing after all these years and put in a grand showing at this weekend's (2nd November) Schiltigheim Tournament in France, placing first ahead of home favourites Amelie Pauffert, Manon Cormoreche and Johanna Cano and established internationals Krystyna Palesova and Marina Kostiuchenko. Still competing with heavy strapping on her once gravely injured right knee, Pavlova's work has retained its languid and musical presentation but does not have the pace or difficulty of many of today's top performers.  She still manages a whip to triple twist as her first tumble on floor, and her beam shows all of that magical sense of magnetism and balance that has always been characteristic of her work.   I do not know if Pavlova would be mentally or physically capable of the intensive training and competition undertaken by the Russian team today.  But the nature of her exile fro...