Rewriting Russian Gymnastics

Evgeniya Shelgunova, who progresses to senior international eligibility this year and is the only gymnast of her age on the Russian national team. The Russian Gymnastics Federation has been hard at work, updating the list of those who will be included on the Russian national gymnastics teams this year. For the women, it is a transitional year, with many of those who matured at or before the London Olympic Games still on the national team, and no retirements announced.  This year, the Russians need gymnasts for the Universiade (gymnasts age 18+), World and European Championships (16+) and European Youth Olympics (14+).  The expected post Olympic retirements are likely to be postponed until after the Universiade, which is taking place in Russia (Kazan) this summer.  So the team this year appears rich and full of strength in depth, but it remains to be seen how many will continue competing beyond the end of 2013. New to the senior team is 1998 born Maria Kharenkov...